SCEVOLA

Italian: name chosen out of admiration for the Roman semi-legendary hero of the 6th century BC, Gaius Mucius Scaevola. He is said to have burnt off his own right hand in an altar fire in order to demonstrate to the Etruscan king, Lars Porsenna, the strength of his willpower. Allegedly as a result of this exploit he received the cognomenScaevola, a derivative ofscaevusleft-handed. This was borne in turn by his descendants, several of whom rose to prominent positions in the Roman republic.