Lacus Curtius

Definition: During the reign of the first king of Rome (Romulus), following the legendary Rape of the Sabine Women (told in Livy 1), war broke out between the Romans and Sabines. According to Plutarch, a Sabine named Mettus or Mettius Curtius was riding ahead of the rest of the Sabines when he and his horse fell into a swamp caused by Tiber overflow that filled the area that would become the Roman Forum. Curtius jumped from his horse's back to save himself, and the Romans named the area after him -- Lacus Curtius. Another version of the creation of the Lacus Curtius comes from a later period ([URL = <http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/0915.html>] 362 B.C.), when a brave Roman named M. Curtius sacrificed himself to save the country. The earth is said to have covered over him. When the forum was drained by means of the Cloaca Maxima, only one small pool remained -- the Lacus Curtius.