Curtius

ker'shi-us, Marcus, a hero of Roman legends. The story runs that in the year 362 B. C. a chasm opened in the forum, or marketplace, at Rome. The soothsayers were consulted and predicted great calamity; but declared that the chasm would close and calamity be averted if that which constituted the glory of the state were thrown into the abyss. While discussion was in progress as to what constituted the glory of the state, Curtius appeared, mounted on horseback and shining in armor. He exclaimed, "Rome has nothing more precious than arms and valor," and leaped into the chasm, which immediately closed.