DENTATUS (Curius), a renowned disinterested
Roman general, whose virtues render him more me-
morable than even his great military reputation, flour-
ished 272 years B. C. He was thrice consul; he
conquered the Samnites, Sabines, and Lucanians; and
gave each citizen 40 acres of land, allowing himself
no more. The ambassadors of the Samnites making
him a visit, found him boiling turnips in a pipking;
upon which they offered him gold to come over to
their interest; but he told them, his design was not to
grow rich, but to command those who were so. He
defeated Pyrrhus near Tarentum, and received the ho-
nour of a triumph.