THE GALLIC INVASION EARLY 4TH CENTURY BCE

Early Roman history from the time of Romulus on is riddled with wars. During the time of the kings and the Republic Rome was fighting with its neighbors, and very gradually absorbing them. At home the plebs and the patricians had disputes which gradually led to social reform and expansion of the aforementioned offices.

WARS FOUGHT BY THE EARLY REPUBLIC LATIUM THE SABINES THE AEQUI THE VOLSCI THE CONQUEST OF VEII THE GALLIC INVASION THE THREE SAMNITE WARS

Plutarch says they went south for the wine Plutarch says they went south for the wine. This is possible but increasing trade is more likely.

As the Gauls moved into Italy, sacking cities, they destabilized the area and became more accustomed to looting. Thus they continued south.

When they reached Etruria, the Romans sent them a warning not to move farther south. The Gauls took this as a challenge and immediately moved to attack Rome. They made it to within 10 miles of Rome before the Romans had an army ready.

This battle was known as the disaster of Allia.

The remaining Romans held out on the Capitoline Hill for 7 months, once being saved from ambush by geese sacred to Juno.

After 7 months the Romans regained their city by paying a ransom. Their city was all but completely gone. Livy tells us that the exile Camillus returned to attack and hurt the Gauls as they were getting ready to leave. Camillus was a major figure in the rebuilding of the city.