the art of finding the alphabet of a cipher, or discovering a method of reading an unknown character or tongue. See Cipher.

DECIUS MUS, Publicius, a Roman consul who liberated the Roman army under M. Valerius Corvus Arvina, when enclosed by the enemy in the mountain passes of Samnium (B.C. 343). In the Latin war (B.C. 340) he devoted himself as a sacrificial victim for the safety of his country. His son, after distinguishing himself in the wars with the Etruscans and Samnites, followed the example of his father, and fell in the same way at the battle of Sentinum (B.C. 295). His grandson also is said to have sacrificed his life in the same manner in the war with Pyrrhus and the Tarentines. This last instance is, however, generally believed to be fabulous.