20. The Gallic Invasion SOURCE: Livy V.xxxiii-lv. Livy devotes a great deal of space in Book V to the Gallic invasion; the version presented here, although lengthy, is but a small part of the original.
BACKGROUND READINGS: Ancient World, pp. 210-211. History of the Roman World, pp. 101-104. Oxford Classical Dictionary, "Camillus (1)." |
TRANSLATION: Once ambassadors came from the people of Clusium to Rome seeking help against the Senones, a Gallic tribe. Then the Romans sent ambassadors to warn the Gauls not to attack the friends of the Roman people. However, when a battle had begun, the Roman ambassadors in violation of international law took up arms and helped the people of Clusium. Later on the Gauls demanded from the Roman Senate that, in compensation for such a violation of international law, the Roman ambassadors should be handed over. When this had been refused, the Gallic army set out for Rome. The Romans, who had made no suitable preparations (lit., had prepared nothing suitable) for such a danger, were defeated at the Allia River. The day on which this battle took place the Romans later called the Allian. A large part of the army fled safely to Veii. The others headed for Rome and, not even having closed the city gates, went with their wives and children to the Citadel and Capitol. Having entered the city, the Gauls spare no one, (and) they pillage and burn the houses. After several days, they made an attack on the Citadel. But the Romans resisted in about the middle of the hill, and then from their higher position made an attack and drove the Gauls back. Then a siege was prepared by the Gauls. Part of the Gallic army was sent away to collect grain from the fields of neighboring peoples. Fortune itself brought them to Ardea, where Camillus, a very famous general, lived in exile. The inhabitants of Ardea under his leadership at night attack the Gallic camp and slaughter the (Gauls) (while they were) sleeping deeply. Meanwhile at Veii not only the (men's) spirits but also their strength were increasing day by day. For in addition to the Romans, who had fled there from the battle at the Allia, volunteers were coming from Latium. These men now decided to free Rome from her enemies. All were agreed that Camillus be summoned, but first that the Senate be consulted. For this purpose Pontius Cominius, a bold young man, supported on a piece of cork was carried downstream (lit., down the favorable Tiber) to the city. With the Senate's approval, Camillus was named dictator. Meanwhile the Citadel and the Capitol in Rome were in great danger. For at night the Gauls, having sent ahead a soldier to test the route, climbed onto the top in such silence that not only did they escape the notice of the guards, but they awoke not even the dogs. They did not, however, escape the notice of the geese, which were the sacred birds of Juno. For M. Manlius, a man distinguished in warfare, who had been awakened by their noise and the rustle of (their) wings, threw down a Gaul who had already taken his stand on the summit. And now the other Romans drive away the enemy with weapons and rocks, and the whole line of the Gauls is carried headfirst down (the hill). But hunger was now pressing on both armies, and disease also (was pressing on) the Gauls. From day to day the Romans in vain looked for help from the dictator. Finally with (at) the price of a thousand pounds of gold they made an arrangement with the Gauls that they (the Gauls) would give up the siege. To this situation (which was) very disgraceful in itself, an (additional) insult was added; for the weights brought by the Gauls (for use in the scales) were too great. When the Romans objected, a sword was added to the weights by Brennus, the king of the Gauls, together with these words, "Woe to the defeated." But before the transaction was finished, the dictator arrived and ordered the gold to be taken from the middle and the Gauls to be expelled. When they said that they had made an arrangement, he denied that this agreement was valid, which, after he himself had been chosen dictator, was made without his consent; then they ordered the Gauls to prepare them selves for battle. The Gauls were defeated both in the city and in a second battle on the Via Gabina. The dictator returned in triumph to the city; he was hailed as Romulus and the father of his country and the second founder of the city. Then he saved again in peace his country that he had saved in war. For when the tribunes were urging the plebeians to move to Veii, leaving the ruins of Rome behind, Camillus in a fierce speech persuaded the citizens to restore Rome. A centurion also moved the people by uttering a word at the right time, who while crossing the forum with his cohorts shouted: "Set up the standard, standard-bearer; we'd best remain here (lit., we will remain here the best)." After hearing these words, both the Senate came out of the Senate House (and) exclaimed that they accepted the omen, and the plebeians surrounding (them) voiced their approval. |
QUESTIONS: Please answer in complete sentences. 1. What are the rights and wrongs of the Gauls and the Romans at Clusium? 2. Why were the Romans defeated at the Allia, and how was the day remembered? 3. While the Gauls were pillaging Rome, what was happening at Ardea and at Veii? 4. How are the people of Veii attentive to legalities in making Camillus the leader of the attempt to free Rome from the Gauls? 5. How do the geese save Rome? 6. How was the Romans' arrangement with the Gauls doubly disgraceful? 7. How does Camillus' insistence on legalities save the day? 8. What do the tribunes of the plebs urge the plebeians to do, and why do you think they urge this course of action? What would the result have been for the future of Roman history? 9. How are the citizens, and in particular the plebeians, persuaded to stay in Rome and restore the city?
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20. Gallic Invasion 34-42 |
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