Anecdote
THE BATTLE OF HERACLEA
The first battle in the Pyrrhic War was fought near Heraclea in 280. Heraclea was located southwest of Tarentum on the sole of Italian boot. The Romans camped on the other side of a river. When a scout was Read more…
Anecdote
THE STAINED TOGA
In 282 B.C., the city of Thurii asked Tarentum to help it against the Lucanians. When the Tarentines turned them down, Thurii asked Rome. As you can imagine, the Romans were only too happy to rescue Read more…
Anecdote
THE BATTLE OF AQUILONIA
294 B.C. was marked by raiding by both sides and several battles. One of the battles saw the Samnites taking advantage of a thick fog to assault a Roman camp. They captured the tent of the quaestor (the lowest Read more…
Uncategorized
THE BATTLE OF SENTINUM- Part 2
On the Roman left, Decius was more aggressive. He charged with his infantry and also led his cavalry against the enemy cavalry. He and his men rode straight into the Samnite cavalry. As the horses rammed into each other, riders Read more…
Anecdote
THE BATTLE OF SENTIUM- Part 1
In 295 B.C., Rome was faced with the chilling prospect of four peoples combining against it. The situation was so dire that Rome had five men who were given imperium. (Imperium was the power to command an army.). In other Read more…
Anecdote
BATTLE OF THE CAUDINE FORKS
Rome then went further into Samnium in 321 BC during the Second Samnite War. The Samnite general Gaius Pontius (Caius Ponius) was a “consummate warrior and commander.” High praise from Livy. He disguised some of his men as shepherds Read more…
Anecdote
PAPIRIUS VS. RULLIANUS
Here is a story from the Second Samnite War (sometimes called the Great Samnite War). The war was from 326 – 304 B.C.E. and is considered by most historians to be Rome’s greatest challenge during its conquest of central Italy. Read more…
Anecdote
THE BATTLE OF ALLIA Part 2
The Roman line was thin in order to prevent any flanking. A Roman reserve was stationed on a hill to the right. Brennus, seeing this, assumed it was an attempt to hit him in the rear during the battle. He Read more…
Anecdote
THE BATTLE OF ALLIA Part 1
In 404 B.C.E., a Celtic tribe called the Senones (the word meant “the ancient ones”) crossed the Alps and settled in northern Italy. They gradually conquered southward until they controlled the Po River Valley. They then came into conflict with Read more…
Anecdote
THE THIRD VEIENTIAN WAR
The Third Veientine War was from 406-396 B.C.E. The war was marked by the ten-year siege of Veii. (The siege of Troy was also for ten years.) Rome laid siege to Veii for several months during the summer, but her Read more…