(ca.446 - 365 BC)
For years the Etruscans had refused to submit to Roman rule. The Romans made Marcus Furius Camillus dictator in 396 BCE and, with the full executive powers that went with the title, he finally brought the Etruscans to their knees. He ordered the inhabitants of Veii, the Etruscan stronghold, killed or sold into slavery. His troops were granted permission to loot the city and then to destroy it. Upon returning to Rome, Camillus was met with praise and honor. Seeing the fate of Veii, many other Etruscan cities surrendered to Rome.
Not long after this victory, however, Camillus was accused of taking some of the loot from Veii for his personal gain, which would have been contrary to Roman law. He proclaimed his innocence but was nonetheless condemned. Hurt and angered by such treatment, he and a few supporters chose to go into voluntary exile in Ardea.
Shortly after Camillus left Rome, invaders from Gaul crossed into Italy and headed towards the city. On July 18 in 390 BCE, the Roman army was defeated just 11 miles north of Rome. Most Romans retreated to the hills, but a few elderly senators remained in the Curia (Senate House) where they were found and killed by the invading Gauls. Almost all of Rome was occupied, but the Capitoline Hill was still held by the Roman general Marcus Manlius and a few brave Romans protecting the temples of Jupiter, Minerva and Juno.
A messenger slipped through the lines and reached Camillus in Ardea to ask for his help. Camillus put aside his hurt feelings and agreed to return upon one condition: his appointment must be formally approved by Manlius' troops. A member of Camillus' entourage was sent to return across enemy lines, find Manlius' forces, and obtain the approval. But the Gauls tracked the messenger up the hidden trail to the Capitoline and began a surprise attack. Geese sacred to Juno heard the Gauls and started to cackle. Alerted by the birds' bedlam, the Romans jumped to battle and successfully repelled the attackers.
The Gauls did not give up their attempt to take the Capitoline Hill and continued a siege for several months. Camillus with a newly organized army of 40,000 arrived just as Manlius and his exhausted forces were attempting to purchase peace from the besiegers with gold taken from the temple of Juno. Camillus reportedly said "Rome buys its peace with iron, not gold." The bargaining was broken off and, after a fierce battle, the Gauls were driven back north. Camillus was rewarded with the title of Second Founder of the City and remained in Rome to work hard for many years for peace and justice for all Romans.
D. Fite, 2001.
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