person
Publius Decius Mus
P. Decius
also: P. Decius
A member of the Decii Mures, famed for the devotio --- the ritual self-sacrifice of a commander in battle to secure victory. Cicero cites the son's imitation of his father's devotio as an exemplum of inherited virtue.
Reading notes
- On the Ends of Good and Evil §2.61 Publius Decius
Publius Decius Mus, consul 340 BC, who in battle against the Latins performed the devotio, vowing himself to death by charging into the enemy. His son and grandson repeated the self-sacrifice, making three generations of victims for the state.
- Tusculan Disputations §1.89 the elder Decius fighting the Latins, his son fighting the Etruscans, his grandson fighting Pyrrhus
Three generations of the Decii Mures who reputedly devoted themselves (devotio) to death in battle for Rome: the elder at the Veseris against the Latins (340 BC), his son at Sentinum (295 BC), and traditionally a grandson against Pyrrhus.