752 BC to 445 BC	According to tradition, there was a swamp in the middle of the Forum. Various stories were told to explain its name, Lacus Curtius, all involving a man named Curtius. The first was a Roman knight who sacrificed himself by leaping into a chasm that suddenly opened in the Forum. The second was a Sabine who fell from his horse into the swamp while fighting Romulus but was miraculously saved. The third was the consul 445 BC who consecrated the site when it was struck by lightning. Sources: Roman youth--Plaut., Curc. 477; Varro LL 5.148; Livy 7.6; Val. Max. 5.6.2; Plin. NH 15.78; Fest. 49; Cas. Dio fr. 30.1; Zonaras 7.25; Suidas 2.1.572; Oros. 3.4, Sabine Mettius Curtius--Livy, 1.12.9, 13.5; Varro LL 5.149; Dion. Hal. 2.42, 14.11; Plut. Rom. 18, C. Curtius, cos. 445--Varro, LL 5.150.
184 BC to 12 BC	The Lacus was monumentalized by being paved. A puteal and cippi or altars were added. This arrangement was maintained through three major phases, datable, according to F. Cairoli Giuliani to 184 BC, 78-74 BC, and 12 BC. Sources: F. Cairoli Giuliani, LTUR3 (1996) 166-67.
30 BC to 14 AD	In the age of Augustus, citizens threw coins into the Lacus Curtius to ensure the emperor's safety. Sources: Suet. Aug. 7.57.
1902 AD to 1904 AD	Excavated by Giacomo Boni. Sources: Archeologia in posa: Foro Romano (1993) 125.

Known historical events