CAECUS, surnamed Codrus, and afterwards Scrovolta, was one of the illustrious Roman family of the Mutii, and rendered his name famous in the war between Porsenna, King of Tuscany, and the Romans. That prince having resolved to restore the family of Tarquin the Proud, went to besiege Rome in the year 507 B.C.; but Mutius determined to sacrifice himself for the safety of his country, and boldly entering the enemy's camp, killed Porsenna's secretary, whom he took for Porsenna himself. Being seized and brought before Porsenna, he told the king boldly that three hundred young men like himself had sworn to murder him; "but since this hand has missed thee," continued he, "it must be punished;" then putting his right hand on the burning coals, he let it burn with such constancy as astonished the beholders. The king, amazed at the intrepidity of the young Roman, ordered that he should have his freedom and return to Rome, and soon afterwards concluded a peace with the Romans. From this action Mutius obtained the surname of Scrovolta, or left-handed, which was enjoyed by his family.