The Lacus Curtius ("Lake Curtius") was a mysterious pit or pool in the ground in the Forum Romanum. The area where the Forum would later be built was originally likely a lake, as the area it was in is known to have been surrounded by brooks and marshes. One part of the area was never drained, but gradually became smaller until only a basin, known as the Lacus Curtius, was left. Its nature and significance in Rome's early history is uncertain, and several conflicting stories exist about its history. The name of the place is likely connected with the Curtia gens, a very old Roman Family with Sabine origins. History The history of the area wasn't well known even to the Romans, and at least three different explanations were given for the area's name. Two were given by Livy, and another by Varro. By order of when they are said to have taken place: Livy's Sabine war origin According to the oldest story (8th century BCE), Lacus Curtius was named after the champion of the Sabines, a horseman named Mettius Curtius. In the war that followed the Rape of the Sabine Women, the champion was said to have got stuck in the marsh during battle. This is corroborated by the fact that the area was once marshland, the fact that the Curtia Gens was of Sabine origins, and that the name Mettius was an authentic Sabine name rendered from the word medìss "leader". Varro's lightning origin A second version (~445 BCE), and also the most prosaic, had it that Gaius Curtius Philon, a consul, consecrated the site after a lightning strike had hit it. Livy's mythical origin Lacus Curtius may have been regarded with some veneration by ancient Romans. The most popular story (~362 BCE), and also the one Livy deemed most likely, was of a myth glorifying the nation: Rome was endangered when a great chasm opened on the Forum. An oracle told the people that they were to throw into the chasm "that what constituted the greatest strength of the Roman people," and that if they did the Roman nation would last forever. After dropping many things into the ravine without result, a young horseman named Marcus Curtius (again a member of the Curtia gens) saved the city by realizing that it was youth that the Romans held most dear. He jumped in, in full armour on his