Scaevola in Roman Biography

Scaevola, seVo-la, [Fr. Scevole, si'vol',] (C. Mu- Cius,) a Roman, who, according to the ancient legends, went to the camp of Porsena, then besieging Rome, and attempted to kill him with a dagger. He was seized by the guards of the king, who ordered him to be put to death. Scasvola, it is said, held his right hand in a fire, which was at hand, until it was consumed, so that Porsena, struck with admiration at his extraordinary fortitude, spared his life. From this circumstance he is said to have received the surname of Scaevola, or " lefthanded."