Cloelia

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Cloelia is a figure from the early history of the city of Rome. Modern historians debate whether the story of Cloelia is a genuine historical record or a myth, although the truth of the account was widely upheld by the Romans themselves.

According to Roman tradition, Cloelia was one of the young Roman girls given as hostages to Lars Porsenna, king of the Etruscan town of Clusium. Cloelia, however, escaped her captors, swimming across the river Tiber. She also led many of the other Roman girls to safety.

Porsena was furious when he learned of the escape, but he eventually came to admire Cloelia's courage. He granted her a promise of safety, should she return to his camp, and even swore to return her to her parents when his troops had left Roman territory.

Cloelia returned and stayed with the camp, selecting other hostages to be returned home and requesting that the male children who were also held hostage be released to their families.

In later times of peace, Rome celebrated her courage by building a statue of her on the Via Sacra.