The story of Cloelia, a patrician heroine of Rome, is mentioned by both Plutarch and Livy. She was one of ten daughters and ten sons given to the Etruscan King Lars Porsena, as a token of good faith following a treaty between the Etruscans and Romans. Cloelia and the other maidens escaped back to Rome by crossing the Tiber on horseback. Although they were sent back by the Romans to Porsena, the Etruscan was so impressed with Cloelia's courage that he freed her and several of her companions.