Androclus

Androclus, a Roman slave of the early part of the 1st century, the hero of a well-known story related by Aulus Gellius. Having attempted to run away from his master, he was sentenced to be torn by wild beasts in the circus, but to the amazement of the spectators, the lion when let loose rushed up to him and began to lick him fondly. On inquiry it was found that he had once pulled a thorn out of a lion's foot in a cave in Africa, and that the grateful beast had at once recognised in him his benefactor. Androclus was pardoned by the emperor, and afterwards led the lion about the streets of Rome.