Battle of the allia
The Battle of Allia was a battle of the first Gallic invasion of Rome. The battle was fought near the Allia river: the defeat of the Roman army opened the route for the Gauls to sack Rome. It was fought in 390BC.
Events Leading up to the BattleIn search of new territories the Senones had migrated across the Apennine Mountains into Etruria, roughly todays Tuscany. In due course they settle near Clusium and embarked in negotiations with the locals over the acquisition of land. The towns dwellers, however, didnt trust the newcomers and sent for Roman help.
Rome, at the time a republic, was not only badly prepared, but exhausted from recent battles would only sent a peace delegation headed by three brothers from the Fabbi, a powerful patrician family.
Not waiting on their protectors, the authorities of Clusium dispatched a force to expel the Gauls. In the middle of the escalation, and in violation of all diplomatic treaty a courtesy, the Fabbi brothers got into a brawl with some Senone leaders, killing one.
The main Gaul chieftain, Brennus, removed his troops from the field, and demanded that the brothers be returned to face execution. While a good number of Roman authorities were willing to turn over the Fabians, the populace was not. The citizens of Rome pressured the government into treating the Fabians as heroes and they were appointed tribunes, a mid to high ranking military officer.
Naturally offended, the Senones pledge to make war on Rome.
Rome, at the time a republic, was not only badly prepared, but exhausted from recent battles would only sent a peace delegation headed by three brothers from the Fabbi, a powerful patrician family.
Not waiting on their protectors, the authorities of Clusium dispatched a force to expel the Gauls. In the middle of the escalation, and in violation of all diplomatic treaty a courtesy, the Fabbi brothers got into a brawl with some Senone leaders, killing one.
The main Gaul chieftain, Brennus, removed his troops from the field, and demanded that the brothers be returned to face execution. While a good number of Roman authorities were willing to turn over the Fabians, the populace was not. The citizens of Rome pressured the government into treating the Fabians as heroes and they were appointed tribunes, a mid to high ranking military officer.
Naturally offended, the Senones pledge to make war on Rome.
March on Rome
Seeking revenge, the Gauls started a 60-mile march towards Rome. On their way, they made sure that the dwellers of towns and settlements they passed understood that their fight was with Rome and not them. Not a single field was burned and they treated everybody as a friend.
The Celtic host finally came face to face with the Romans some eight miles north of the Eternal City on the margins of the river Allia, a tributary of the Tiber.
At this time, Rome was still a Republic and its armed forces were not as well organized. Legions seldom were at full strength and citizen soldiers had to be added to the defensive line. The rich and, supposedly better armed and trained, soldiers were at the center of the formation. The new conscripts, usually ill trained and poorly equipped manned the flanks.
Seeking revenge, the Gauls started a 60-mile march towards Rome. On their way, they made sure that the dwellers of towns and settlements they passed understood that their fight was with Rome and not them. Not a single field was burned and they treated everybody as a friend.
The Celtic host finally came face to face with the Romans some eight miles north of the Eternal City on the margins of the river Allia, a tributary of the Tiber.
At this time, Rome was still a Republic and its armed forces were not as well organized. Legions seldom were at full strength and citizen soldiers had to be added to the defensive line. The rich and, supposedly better armed and trained, soldiers were at the center of the formation. The new conscripts, usually ill trained and poorly equipped manned the flanks.
The Battle
No fool, Brennus decided to attack the flanks. It was no contest. The flanks were quickly beaten. Soldiers in the right side quickly ran back to Rome and those in the left fled to the small town of Veii.
With the sides disposed off, the Gauls surrounded the Roman center. It was a bloodbath, the worse defeat suffered by Rome to that date.
What was left of the Roman forces and many civilians took refuge on the Capitoline Hill. There they would hold off the invading Celts, causing enormous looses.
But the rest of the city was open to the invaders. The Celtic warriors proceeded to occupy and sack Rome for seven months. Not only did they take immeasurable riches, but they destroyed most of the precious records the Romans kept.
No fool, Brennus decided to attack the flanks. It was no contest. The flanks were quickly beaten. Soldiers in the right side quickly ran back to Rome and those in the left fled to the small town of Veii.
With the sides disposed off, the Gauls surrounded the Roman center. It was a bloodbath, the worse defeat suffered by Rome to that date.
What was left of the Roman forces and many civilians took refuge on the Capitoline Hill. There they would hold off the invading Celts, causing enormous looses.
But the rest of the city was open to the invaders. The Celtic warriors proceeded to occupy and sack Rome for seven months. Not only did they take immeasurable riches, but they destroyed most of the precious records the Romans kept.