“Lars Porsenna was a persistent man. Frustrated by Horatius Cocles’ stand at the bridge over the Tiber, he decided to put Rome under siege and starve her into submission. No supplies could pass through his lines into the city. Gaius Mucius, appalled at the idea that Rome might fall to the Etruscans, asked for permission to sneak out of Rome and infiltrate the enemy camp with the intent to kill Porsenna. With a sword hidden in his tunic he slipped into the camp and sought the king.

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