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Curtius

Curtius is a Roman nomen shared by several notables.

The name is also shared by several modern personages.

(move below to Lacus Curtius[?])?

In Roman mythology, Curtius was Marcus Curtius. In 445 BC, lightning struck near the Forum Romanum. The hole it created was called the Lacus Curtius[?]. An oracle claimed the hole, which severely disrupted the business at the Forum, could be closed by the most precious thing Rome had. Curtius, dressed in full armor and riding a fine horse, jumped into the hole, which then disappeared.

Livy VII, 6.


Alternately, the Lacus was named after Mettius Curtius, a Sabine horseman who rode into or fell into it while fighting against Romulus.


Still another version has it that Caius Curtius, a consul of 445 BC, consecrated the site after the lightning strike.


Curtius is a crater on the Moon.



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