CURTIUS, MARCUS, a Roman youth, who, about 360 years before the Augustan age, devoted himself to the gods manes for the safety of his country. A wide gap had suddenly opened in the Forum, and the oracle had declared that it never would close until Rome threw into it whatever she had that was accounted most precious. Curtius immediately perceived that no less than a human sacrifice was required; and having armed himself and mounted his charger, he plunged into the gulf, which instantly closed over his head.