Meaning of camille, marc of the furies in the collier dictionary. Meaning of camille, marc of the furies in the Collier Dictionary

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1. Biography ……………………………………………………….3
2. Life Way………………………………………………....6

Bibliography…………………………………………………. .22

Biography

Mark Furius Camillus (lat. Marcus Furius Camillus), (OK.447 - 365 BC e. ) - Roman statesman and military figure. According toTitus Libya held a number of senior government positions:censor v 403, 6 times was military tribune with consular authority401 , 398 , 394 , 386 , 384 and 381 years.), 5 times appointeddictator (396 , 390 , 389 , 368 and 367 years), was awarded 4 timestriumph, was three times interrex . For exile Gauls received the title of "second founder of Rome". Beingpatrician, in the fight patricians and plebeians successively took the side of the patricians.

Camillus's father was Lucius Furius Medullinus,military tribune . V 396 BC. Camillus capturedEtruscan town veii which has been under siege for 10 years. After that, he was accused of unfair distribution of booty. Considering these accusations unfair, Camillus went into self-imposed exile in the cityArdea. V 387 while he was in exile, Rome was capturedgalls under their leaderbrenna . It is believed that at this time the Roman Republic was on the verge of collapse. Camillus was offered to return from exile and lead the fight against the Gauls. Camille was appointeddictator . He gathers troops in the allied cities and the remnants of the Roman army in Veii and drives the Gauls out of Rome. Shortly thereafter, the Roman army under the leadership of Camillus finally defeats the Gallic army.

After the defeat of the Gauls, some of the plebeians decided to move from the devastated Rome to Veii. Camillus convinces them not to do this, but, on the contrary, to take an active part in the restoration of destroyed Rome. Taking the side of the patricians in their constant struggle with the plebeians, Camillus, however, persuaded them to make certain concessions in relation to the plebeians.

Throughout his military and political career, Camillus held a number of important government positions: in 403 he was a censor, he was elected a military tribune with consular power 6 times (401, 398, 394, 386, 384 and 381). Camillus acted as a resolute and consistent supporter of the patricians in their struggle against the plebeians. In 396, he captured the Etruscan city of Veii, which the Romans unsuccessfully besieged for 10 years. However, shortly thereafter, the tribunes of the people accused him of embezzlement and sentenced him to a large fine. Wounded by injustice, Camillus went into self-imposed exile in the city of Ardea. In 390, the Gauls captured Rome; The Roman state was on the verge of collapse. During this difficult time, the Romans turned to Camillus for help and asked him to lead the remnants of their armed forces. Having received the position of dictator, Camillus got down to business and soon drove the Gauls out of Rome. For this he was nicknamed "the second founder of Rome."
A military reform is associated with the name of Camillus, which provided for the improvement of the protective weapons of the legionnaires, a change in the principle of building legions (from the qualification principle to the age one) and the introduction of a manipulative system in the Roman army.

In the 80-70s. Camillus waged successful wars with the Aequi, Volscians and Latins. In 367, being a dictator, he defeated at Alba a large army of Gauls who invaded Rome. Two years after this victory, he died of a plague that swept through Rome.
Plutarch about Camille: “Among all that they say about Furius Camille, the most remarkable and unusual, in my opinion, is that this man, who repeatedly commanded the troops and won the most important victories, was elected dictator five times and a four-time victor, a man called in books "the second founder of Rome", was never a consul. The reason for this is the state in which the state was then: at enmity with the senate, the people refused to choose consuls and appointed military tribunes by voting, and although they had the highest power in their hands and they possessed all consular rights and powers, the very number of tribunes made the attitude of the crowd towards this office more benevolent.In fact, six instead of two were now at the head of the board, and this was gratifying to those who were weary of the oligarchy. Camille and his most remarkable exploits; that is why he did not want to go against the will of the people and did not seek consular dignity, although assemblies for the election of consuls were often called during this interval; on the other hand, occupying other positions - numerous and very diverse - he always showed himself in such a way that power (even in those cases when it belonged only to him) turned out to be a common property, while fame went to Camillus alone (even if the primacy belonged to several persons ). The first he achieved with his modesty of the commander, trying to avoid envy, the second - thanks to the sharpness and insight of the mind, in which, admittedly, he did not know his equal.

Life Way

The Romans were often at war with their neighbors. They conquered a significant part of Central Italy. In these endless wars, many commanders became famous: One of the most famous was Marcus Furius Camillus. For his exploits, he was awarded four times a great triumph - the highest award to the winner.

In Rome, there were many stories about the courage, courage, modesty, intelligence and military gift of Camillus.

Mark Furius Camillus won lasting glory in the war with Veii, one of the richest and most beautiful cities of Etruria. The strong Veii were Rome's constant rivals, and there were frequent clashes between them. In many battles, the Romans were defeated. The outcome of this long struggle could only be decided by the conquest or destruction of one of the warring cities.

Having gathered significant forces, the Romans laid siege to Veii, surrounded by high strong walls. The defenders of the city were well armed and had sufficient food supplies. The siege proved to be very difficult. Year after year went by, but still it was not possible to master Veyami.

Seven years have passed. The soldiers and citizens of Rome began to grumble: “Our leaders are too indecisive! They linger like turtles! They need to be replaced..."

Realizing that it was impossible to take control of Veii immediately, Camillus opposed those cities that helped the besieged. Subduing them, he somewhat eased the position of the Romans, who stood under the walls of Vei, but the siege continued without any serious hope of an early success. In the midst of the war, disaster struck. The waters of the mountain Alban lake overflowed their banks and rushed down, flooding meadows, arable land, sweeping away everything in their path. The Roman camp and their fortifications were swept away by the torrent. This was all the more unexpected since, after the hot summer, all the rivers and lakes became shallow and some of the springs ran out of water. Unable to explain the causes of the disaster and amazed by the formidable phenomenon of nature, people considered this a miracle and a bad omen.

The besieged rejoiced at the misfortune of the Romans. One of the Etruscan warriors mockingly shouted from the city wall: “Hey, Romans! Your deeds are bad! You will never take our glorious city! This was shown by the Alban waters! .. "

It so happened that a few days later, during a skirmish at the city wall, this "mockery" was captured by the Romans. During interrogation, the prisoner told the following: "I will tell you a secret why I am sure that no one will take the city. There is a prediction that Veii will fall only when the enemy turns back the gushing waters of the Alban Lake and prevents them from connecting with the sea.

The superstitious Romans believed the prediction. Thousands of warriors came out with hoes and spades to build a barrier in the way of the waters. A drainage channel was also built. However, the Romans had to stand under the walls of Vei for another three years.

The tenth year of the siege began. The Roman people were extremely dissatisfied. He demanded decisive action. Then the Senate resorted to extreme measures: all the officials of Rome were removed from power, instead of them Mark Furius Camillus was appointed dictator. All civil and military authorities in the state were now subordinate to him. Camille set to work energetically. Having defeated the last allies of the besieged city, calm for his rear, Camillus took up the siege of Vei. He carefully examined the fortifications of the city and realized that it was too dangerous to storm this well-fortified city. After much thought, he remembered how thousands of Roman citizens dug the earth near the Alban Lake, how quickly the drainage channel grew ... And the decision came.

First of all, Camillus gave the order to stop the indiscriminate skirmishes with the besieged. Calm has come. The Wei defenders mocked the Romans. They shouted from the walls that the Romans were cowardly and therefore took refuge in their camp.

Meanwhile, unnoticed by the besieged warriors of Camillus, they were digging a tunnel under the walls of the city. The ground was soft and work progressed quickly. Replacing every six hours, Roman soldiers dug an underground passage day and night. A few weeks later, the work was completed. A deep and long tunnel was ready, which ended inside the city.

The decisive day has come. Part of the Roman army, led by Camillus, moved towards the city, as if they were going to storm it. The Wei defenders took up positions on the walls and towers, ready to repel the enemy. At this time, another part of the Roman soldiers secretly entered the underground passage and soon found themselves inside the fortress.

According to legend, the exit from the dig accidentally ended up under the temple of the goddess Hera. The Romans hid, waiting for the signal. Worship took place in the church. The voice of the priest was heard, saying: “Whoever finishes the rite, he will win ...” At that moment, the Romans, having broken the floor, appeared in front of the astonished Etruscans. Grabbing the victims lying on the altar, they quickly completed the ceremony, terrifying the superstitious Etruscans. At this time, there was a general assault on the city. An unexpected blow from the rear of the Roman soldiers decided the matter. Veii fell. The Romans captured huge booty. But most importantly, the desired goal was achieved: a powerful, dangerous rival was crushed.

Camillus was awarded a great triumph. The pomp with which the triumph took place aroused the envy of some of the citizens. They were especially annoyed by the fact that four white horses were harnessed to the triumphal chariot of Camillus. “No one did this,” envious people said, “Camillus wants to be equal to the gods.”

But soon (in 394 BC) a new war broke out. This time, the inhabitants of the city of Falerius became the opponents of Rome. The Romans again needed an experienced military leader, and they again turned to Camillus. He was put at the head of the Roman army. The Roman commander moved his forces to Falerii. This city was perfectly fortified, and it became clear to Camillus that he could not be taken with one blow. The siege began.

Confident in the strength of the walls that surrounded the city on all sides, the Falerians were not afraid of the enemy. There were only watchmen on the towers and walls. The inhabitants continued to go about their business. city ​​gates for a walk. However, the teacher turned out to be a traitor. Every day he moved away with the children farther and farther from the walls of the city. Time passed. One day, going out, as always, with the children from the city, he led them to the enemy camp and called out to the Roman sentries. he asked them to take them to the Roman general. The soldiers took him and the children to Camillus. The teacher bowed low and said, pointing to the children: "I am much more important than fulfilling my duty. That is why I came to you and brought the children with me. Take them, and Falerius themselves will fall at your feet. " Camillus was horrified by the act of the teacher, who betrayed defenseless children to enemies. He turned away from the teacher and loudly said to those around him: “Quirites! You all know that war is a cruel and often unjust business. But for decent people and in war there are some laws. We all want victory. We cannot buy victory at the cost of crime. The commander and his soldiers should rely on their art and courage, and not on someone else's meanness ... "With these words, Camillus turned to the lictors and, pointing to the teacher, said:" Take this scoundrel and tie him up. "The lictors grabbed the traitor, tore off his clothes and tied his hands behind his back. “Bring rods and whips,” Camillus ordered, “and distribute them to the children. And you, children, go back to your fathers, mothers, and drive the traitor before you. Let each urge him on with his rod or whip!”

When it became known in the city that thanks to the vile act of the city teacher, the children fell into the hands of the enemy, the inhabitants were shocked. Sobs and mournful cries were heard everywhere. Crowds of people who came out on the city walls looked with despair in the direction of the Roman camp. Suddenly, everyone saw an amazing picture: some naked man with his hands tied behind his back, stumbling, wandered towards the city. Behind him, whipping him with whips and rods, shouting and hooting, the children walked. Relatives and friends, forgetting about the danger, rushed out of the gate to meet the children.

The settling of the Gauls in Italy began from the northern regions. Later this Roman province was called Cisalpine Gaul. First, the Etruscans were subjected to the Gallic invasion. After that, the Gauls went to Rome and the Romans suffered one of the largest defeats in the battle of Allia. The savior of Rome and other Italian tribes from the Gauls was Mark Furius Camillus. Camillus is a semi-legendary figure in Roman history. He was a military tribune with consular powers six times. Consuls at that time were not chosen because of disagreements between the plebeians and the senate. Five times Camillus was elected dictator, he celebrated four triumphs. Mark Furius Camillus successfully fought with the Etruscans, Equami, Volscians and Latins. In addition, he twice stopped the army of the Gauls, the second time already being a deep old man.

For many years, Rome unsuccessfully besieged the rich Etruscan city of Veii. In the tenth year of the siege, Camillus was appointed dictator. Livy, 5.19: “First of all, Camillus, according to the laws of wartime, executed everyone who fled from Wei during a panic, and ensured that the enemy ceased to be the most terrible thunderstorm for a warrior.” Veii were taken with the help of a tunnel. The Romans got riches that they were not able to share. The commander was made extreme and Mark Furius Camillus was forced to retire into exile in the neighboring city of Ardea. However, there are other versions about the reasons for the expulsion. For example, the “blasphemous” triumphal entry into Rome on white horses. Be that as it may, but at the moment of mortal danger hanging over Rome, Camillus was absent.

Plutarch, Comparative Lives, Camillus: “Having invaded its borders (Italy), they immediately captured the area that the Etruscans once owned: it extends from the Alps to both seas, as evidenced by their names. In fact, the sea that lies to the north is called the Adriatic - after the Etruscan city of Adria, and that which is located on the other side of the peninsula and faces south is called Etruscan, or Tyrrhenian.

Some ancient authors tell a story that one Tyrrhenian (Etruscan), wanting to take revenge on his fatherland, attracted the Gauls to Italy with stories about the fertile lands of the Etruscans. The Gallic army laid siege to the Etruscan city of Clusium. However, Livy, “History of Rome from the founding of the city”, 5.33 disputes this version: “... it is also quite clear that the besiegers of Clusium were not the first to cross the Alps. After all, the Gauls crossed into Italy two hundred years before the siege of Clusium and the capture of Rome; the Gallic armies fought at first not with these Etruscans; but long before they often encountered those of them who lived between the Apennines and the Alps.”

Artist Angus Mcbride

Roman ambassadors participated in the battle of Clusium, which provoked the Gauls to leave Clusium and go on a campaign against Rome. Livy, 5.37: “... and yet the greatest fear was caused in Rome by the swiftness of the enemy: the hastily assembled army that came out to meet him, no matter how in a hurry, met him only eleven miles from the city, where the river Allia, running down a deep hollow from the Crustumerian mountains , flows into the Tiber a little lower than the road. Not only in front, but also around everything was already full of enemies. The Gauls, and in general, by their nature, tend to make senseless noise, and then the whole air was filled with soul-chilling sounds: it was the barbarians who uttered wild cries and bawled ferocious songs.

Battle of Allia, 390 BC

Titus Livy, 5.38

“Here, the military tribunes, without choosing a place for the camp in advance, without building a rampart ahead of time in case of retreat, lined up. The Roman formation was stretched in both directions so that the hordes of enemies could not enter from the rear, but it was still inferior in length to the enemy - meanwhile, in the middle this extended formation turned out to be weak and barely closed. They decided to put the reserve on the right wing, where there was a small hill; it was she who subsequently served as a source of panic and flight, and the only salvation for the fugitives. The Gallic leader Brennus, with the small number of the enemy, was very afraid of some kind of trick, and so he decided that this hill was occupied in order to hit the reserve in the flank and rear of the Gauls when they faced the legions face to face. Then he turned against the reserves in the firm belief that if he drove them off the hill, victory on a level field with such a numerical superiority would be easily won.

Artist S. O. Brogan

And in the opposite camp, neither the leaders nor the soldiers resembled the Romans. Only fear and the thought of flight reigned in all souls; the bewilderment of minds was such that, despite the obstacle of the Tiber, the vast majority rushed to Veii, a foreign city, instead of fleeing the direct route to Rome, to their wives and children. Only the reserves were under the protection of the hill for a short time, while the rest of the army, as soon as the front from the side, and the rear from the rear, heard screams, immediately fled from the unknown enemy even before they saw him. The Romans fled, not only not trying to measure their strength with the enemy, not only not having fought him and not receiving a single scratch, but not even answering his call. No one died in the battle, all those killed were hit in the back when the stampede began, and the crowd made it difficult to escape. A terrible massacre took place on the banks of the Tiber, where, having thrown their weapons, the entire left wing fled. Many who could not swim or weakened under the weight of armor and clothes were swallowed up by the abyss. Nevertheless, the vast majority reached Vei without difficulty, whence they did not send to Rome not only help, but even news of the defeat. From the right wing, which was far from the river, under the mountain, everyone rushed to the City (Rome), where they took refuge in the Fortress (Capitol), without even locking the city gates.

Diodor, “Historical Library”, 14.114-115

“In a rage, they increased the army of their tribesmen to more than seventy thousand people and quickly marched towards Rome. When the news of the approach of the Celts reached Rome, the military tribunes called to arms all citizens of military age. Then they left the city, crossed the Tiber and advanced their troops 80 stadia from the river. Upon learning of the approach of the Celts, they lined up an army to fight. The best troops, twenty-four thousand in number, were lined up from the river to the mountains, and the weakest were placed on the top. The Celts deployed their troops in a long line, with the most combat-ready warriors placed on the hills. When trumpets sounded from both sides to signal the attack, both armies went into battle with shouting and noise. Those troops of the Celts, which were lined up against the weak soldiers of the Romans, easily knocked them down from the hills. As a result, they fled in disarray to the plain, the ranks of the Romans mixed up and fled in fear just before the attack of the Celts. Since the bulk of the Romans fled along the river and interfered with each other due to confusion, the Celts, pursuing them, easily killed those who were in the last rows. Some of the most courageous who fled to the river tried to swim across it with their weapons and armor, valuing them as their lives, but drowned under their weight, but some, having made every effort, finally received salvation. But, since the enemy pressed hard, massacring along the river, most of the survivors abandoned their weapons and swam across the Tiber.

The Celts, although they killed most of the enemies, on the banks of the river, did not give up the taste of victory and bombarded those who tried to swim with darts. And since many darts were thrown, and there was a dense mass of those who were floating, the shells did not pass by, so that some were killed immediately, while others were so wounded that they weakened due to loss of blood and were carried away by a fast current. After the catastrophe that befell them, most of the Romans fled and took refuge in the city of Veii, which they destroyed not long before. They fortified it as best they could and gathered there all who had survived the defeat. Some of those who crossed the river fled unarmed to Rome, telling of the destruction of the army.”

Artist Richard Hook

Plutarch, Camillus

“Towards the rapidly advancing Gauls, the military tribunes led the Roman army, impressive in number - no less than forty thousand heavy infantry, but poorly trained: for the most part, these people took up arms for the first time. In addition, the generals treated the sacred rites with complete disdain: they did not wait for happy signs at the sacrifices and did not even ask the soothsayers how it was appropriate before a formidable battle. In the same essential way, all plans and undertakings were mixed by many authorities: after all, before, and for a not so decisive struggle, they often chose an autocratic commander (the Romans call him a dictator), knowing full well how useful it is in moments of danger, fulfilling a single plan, to obey an unlimited power vested with all rights. . Finally, the offense caused to Camillus caused great damage to the cause, for now it became scary to command the army without flattering and not pleasing his subordinates. Having moved ninety stadia from the city, the Romans set up camp near the river Allia, not far from its confluence with the Tiber. Here they waited for the appearance of the barbarians and, having entered into a disorderly and therefore shameful battle with them, were put to flight. The Celts immediately threw the left wing of the Romans into the river and destroyed it, those that occupied the right wing, clearing the plain under the onslaught of the enemy and climbing the hills, suffered much less damage. The main part of them slipped out of the hands of the enemy and rushed to Rome, the rest - some managed to escape due to the fact that the enemies were tired of killing - fled to Veii at night, thinking that Rome had fallen and everything in it was put to destruction.

The Gauls took Rome without resistance and laid siege to the Capitol. Once again, Camillus was elected dictator. But in order to get the approval of the Senate, one of the Romans was forced to climb the Capitol along a mountain path. This path was discovered by the Gauls and almost penetrated the Capitol. The Roman sentries were asleep, but the geese alarmed in time and woke up the sentries. “Geese saved Rome”, but apart from the geese, Rome was saved by Mark Manlius, who alone fought the Gauls until help arrived. It is interesting to note that much later, in the next dictatorship of Camillus, Mark Manlius was sentenced to death by the court and thrown down from the cliff, which he defended from the Gauls.

Artist A. Karashchuk

Camillus, having received notice of his powers, together with the inhabitants of Ardei, where he was in exile, as well as the Romans who had taken refuge in Veii, attacked part of the Gauls scattered around the surroundings and killed them. He came to Rome at the most decisive moment. After a seven-month siege, the Romans prepared for surrender and counted the ransom for the Gauls. And when Brenn threw his sword on the scales with the words: “Woe to the vanquished”, Camillus arrived and, by the will of the dictator, canceled all agreements.

Plutarch, Camillus: “Brenne became furious and signaled for battle; both Gauls and Romans drew their swords, but only pressed each other in disorderly skirmishes, beyond which things did not go. It could not have been otherwise in the narrow passages between the houses, where there was not enough room for a battle line, and, quickly realizing this, Brennus led the Celts (their losses were not great) back to the camp, and at night completely cleared the city and, having passed sixty stadia, stopped near the road leading to Gabia. At dawn, Camillus overtook him with well-armed and now full of courage Romans; after a fierce and long battle, they drove the enemy, who suffered terrible losses, and captured his camp. Of the fugitives, some fell immediately during the persecution, but most of them dispersed around the district and were exterminated by the inhabitants of neighboring villages and cities.

Many more times Camillus led the Roman army and defeated the enemies. Even an aging dictator was able to stop the retreating Roman troops with his appearance and inspire victory. Plutarch: “But then reliable news came that tens of thousands of Celts, having risen from the shores of the Adriatic Sea, were again moving towards Rome. The rumor about the war was not slow to be confirmed by its evil deeds: the enemy devastated the fields, and the population, who could not easily reach Rome, scattered over the mountains. Fear of the Gauls immediately stopped the strife, and, finally agreeing in opinion, then the best citizens, the senate and the people unanimously elected Camillus dictator - for the fifth time. Although he was a very old man and was already living in his eighth decade, but, seeing in what extremes and danger the fatherland was, he did not, as before, apologize and give pretexts for refusal, but immediately took command and began to recruit.

One of the greatest citizens of the ancient Republic was Mark Furius Camillus, the destroyer of the city of Wei and the restorer of his native city ruined by the Gauls, glorified by the Romans for this, as the father of the fatherland and the second founder of Rome, an energetic, tireless warrior who stood at the head of the board seven times as a military tribune and five as dictator, zealous representative of patrician interests.

Mark Fury achieved such fame with his own strength and talent, since before him the family of Furies was not distinguished by special honor and significance. For the first time, young Furius distinguished himself in the bloody battle of 431 BC. on Algida between the Romans and the Equii with the Volscians - ahead of the army, Furius, with an enemy spear in his side, rushed into the middle of the enemy army and put everyone to flight. Since then, he began to receive one honorary title after another, up to the position of censor, occupied only by persons who enjoyed general respect and trust.

Camillus began military activity on a significant scale at a time when Rome undertook a war of annihilation against Vei. Of the Etruscan cities, Veii was closest to Rome, about five hours, and therefore this city was always at the forefront of the Etruscan struggle with the cities of Latium, whose stronghold was Rome. Veii lay to the north of the Tiber, on a steep and precipitous elevation on all sides, between two streams. It was one of the largest and most powerful cities in Etruria, with high and strong walls. It was no smaller than Rome in size and probably in population. In the beauty of public and private buildings, he far surpassed Rome. Surrounded by fertile lands, this city possessed enormous wealth, which accustomed its inhabitants to effeminacy and luxury.

Rome got into hostile relations with the Veii from the first days of its existence. Already waged war with this city. The rest of the kings followed his example. After the expulsion of the kings, Veii gave shelter and support to Tarquinius, and an honest peace rarely existed between these two cities. Rome had to suffer more often than Weyam. Shortly after the fall of the Fabii, a truce was concluded for 400 months (474 ​​BC) and the Romans achieved the restoration of the territory that had been taken from them by Porsenna. After this truce, the war broke out again (445 BC). At first, she limited herself to raids and the mutual devastation of possessions. The struggle became more fierce after the city of Fiden, being an important stronghold, passed into the hands of the Romans. Incited by the Veian king Tolumnius, the inhabitants of Fiden attacked the Roman garrison, killed the envoys and recognized the supreme power of Tolumnius.

veii

Tolumnius fell in battle at the hands of the consul Cornelius Cossus, and the city of Fidenae was taken and destroyed (426 BC). Veii made a truce for 200 months. By this time, the power of the Etruscans, who were the main people of Italy both on land and at sea, was already approaching decline. Their dominance was destroyed by the Greeks of Sicily and Lower Italy. In the north, the Gauls took from them the rich plain of the Po with its eighteen cities. In the south, the Samnites took possession of their colonies in Campania, and then Rome, at the head of Latium, began to act more energetically. After the end of the truce in 405, the Romans took up arms to destroy Veii. After a ten-year siege, Veii was taken. This, of course, required special energy and perseverance, and it is very likely that the heroic spirit of Camillus, who played a significant role during these ten years (405-396 BC), had a considerable influence on the firmness of the Romans in this struggle. three times a military tribune and finally elected dictators.

In 402, when he first assumed the office of military tribune, Veii, by his order, was surrounded by fortifications, some of which were turned against the city itself, while others were intended to protect against attack from outside. In these fortifications, the Roman army remained without a break in winter and summer - the first example of this kind in Roman history, since until now only short summer campaigns were made. To protect against winter weather, clay huts were built in the fortifications. The Veians realized that it was about the destruction of their city, and defended themselves desperately with the support of the Capenans and Falisci, who attacked the Roman camp from the outside. These latter were severely punished by Camillus during his second and third military tribuneships (400 and 397). He invaded their possessions, took huge booty and devastated the territory.

It was the tenth year of the siege, and the Romans still did not see the end of their labors. Moreover, as a result of an ambush arranged by the Capenans and Falisci, the military tribunes Genucius and Ticinius suffered such a defeat this year that the Roman camp was already considered dead, and Rome was waiting for the appearance of the enemy army under its walls. Then the Romans appointed their greatest commander, Camillus, as dictator. He quickly restored the Roman military force, defeated the Capenians and Falisci at Nepetus, and pulled all the troops to Veii, firmly determined to put an end to the war, because he knew that the mysterious condition on which the victory over Veii depended had already been fulfilled.

And the thing was the following. In 398, while all the rest of the waters of Italy dried up, the Alban lake, for no apparent reason, suddenly rose to such a height that it filled to the brim the mouth of the volcano in which it was located, and even began to pour into the valley. In this circumstance, they saw a sign of fate, not without significance. Therefore, it was decided to send an embassy to the Pythian Apollo. However, before it had a chance to return, a lucky break brought the Romans another interpreter.

Alban lake

An elderly Veian once approached the sentries of both hostile camps and, mocking the futile efforts of the Romans, announced in a prophetic tone that the Romans would not take possession of Veii until water flowed out of the Alban lake. These words, spreading throughout the Roman camp, moved one centurion to investigate the mystery thoroughly. Under the pretext of wanting to consult with this soothsayer about the sign that appeared to him, he lured him outside the walls of the city, grabbed him in his arms and brought him to the Roman camp in full view of everyone. Transported to Rome, the imprudent soothsayer was forced to reveal to the senate the predestination written in the Veian books of fate, which consisted in the following: as long as the Alban lake is overflowing with water, Veii cannot be conquered; if these waters overflow their banks and reach the sea, Rome will perish; if they are led away so that they do not reach the sea, then the Romans will defeat Veii.

Soon after this, an embassy returned from Delphi with the answer of Apollo, which turned out to be the same as the statement of the Etruscan priest and in which it was ordered to restore the ancient worship, which was forgotten among the Romans, and return to it due honor. speech, were Latin festivals associated with sacrifices on the Alban mountain, the celebration of which was done inappropriately due to the order of incorrectly elected tribunes. This oversight was immediately corrected, after which the difficult task of diverting water from Lake Alban began. A hole was dug under the top edge of the crater 342 feet deep, then a channel 6 feet high, 4 wide and 4000 long was driven through the hardened lava. At the outlet of this gallery, a vaulted reservoir was built, from which water flowed into the plain in five different streams and, thanks to this division, did not reach the sea. The end of this colossal structure, which, like the Roman sewers, still amazes travelers, dates back to the beginning of 396.

Veii. Terracotta frieze with antefixes. Late 6th century BC National Etruscan Museum. Rome

With the restoration of Latin holidays and the completion of work on the Alban Lake, the fate of Wei was decided. The dictator Camillus ordered the fortifications to be moved closer and again surrounded the city from all sides. By his own order, they began to dig an underground passage to the city to the temple of Juno in the fortress. Work continued day and night without interruption, as the workers, divided into six groups, were relieved every six hours. The move was soon completed. It remained only to break through the floor of the temple. No longer doubting victory, the dictator turned to the Senate with a request how to dispose of the rich booty after the city was conquered. The Senate replied that it should be given to the army. In addition, it was announced in Rome that whoever wants a share of this booty must go to the dictator's camp. For this reason, a lot of people went to Veyami, reinforcing the numerical strength of the army.

Juno

The dictator has finished preparing for the final assault. But before applying it, he said a prayer in the presence of the whole army: “Under your leadership, Pythian Apollo, and drawn by your divine spirit, I set about destroying the city of Wei and vow to bring you a tenth of the booty as a gift. And you, Queen Juno, who is currently living in Veii, I pray to follow us, the victors, to our city, which will soon become yours, as the temple worthy of your Majesty will again accept you within its walls! After these words, the troops rushed from all sides to the city and with loud shouts called the frightened inhabitants to the walls. At the same time, a detachment of selected warriors moved through an underground passage and ended up in the temple of Juno in the fortress. The Veyants, busy repelling the attack on the walls, did not suspect that the Romans were in the very center of the city - they noticed this only when the enemy broke into the city and set fire to houses from the roofs of which women and slaves threw stones and tiles at him.

Soon the whole city resounded with the cries of the attacking Romans and the besieged Veians. After a long massacre, the battle began to weaken, and the herald announced the order of the dictator to spare the unarmed. The bloodshed has stopped. Those who remained alive surrendered, and the soldiers, with the permission of the dictator, began to plunder. When the dictator saw that the booty turned out to be much more significant than he expected, he raised his hands to heaven with a prayer: if such happiness, which fell to the lot of him personally and the Roman people, seems too great to any of the gods or people, then let everyone it cost the Romans that they would enrich themselves because of this envy in the least possible way. But having said this prayer, he accidentally slipped and fell, and this circumstance was later looked upon as an omen of the punishment that befell Marcus Furius Camillus, and the conquest of Rome by the Gauls.

The day of the conquest passed in slaughter and plunder. The next day, the dictator sold the prisoners, and the proceeds, not without a murmur from the people, were transferred to the state treasury. Then, when everything belonging to people was finally taken out of the city, they began to seize things dedicated to the gods, and the gods themselves. A select detachment was instructed to transport the statue of Juno to Rome. The statue was easily removed from its pedestal and transported to Rome, to the Aventine Hill, where four years later Camillus built a temple in honor of this goddess. “Such an end befell Veii, one of the most powerful cities of Etruria, which proved its greatness even by its death, for if, after a siege that lasted ten years and ten winters - and he caused the enemy much more harm than he suffered himself - he finally fell, then its conquest was not the result of a siege, but of sacred rites.(Livy).

The news of the conquest of Wei caused indescribable delight in Rome. The Senate ordered to celebrate the victory for four days. The triumphal entry of Camillus into Rome was marked by an unprecedented solemnity. He rode into the Capitol in a chariot drawn by four white horses and solemnly resigned the dictatorship.

Triumph Camille. Francesco Salviati. Scenes from the life of Furius Camillus. Fragment

But the white horses seemed to the citizens a manifestation of excessive vanity on the part of the winner. “He wants,” they said, “to put himself on a par with the gods; only Jupiter and the sun are worthy of such a team". Camillus caused even more irritation in his fellow citizens by announcing that before the conquest of Wei, he had vowed to bring a tenth of the booty as a gift to Apollo and that the people should pay this sacred debt. If he had announced this earlier, it would have been easy to separate a tenth of the loot, but now most of those who participated in the division had already spent their share, and the return of even such a small part of the booty turned out to be almost impossible. Citizens saw in this act of Camillus only a pretext for reducing the part of the conquered property that they got. Since it was out of the question to return all the booty to separate a tenth of it from it, the high priests ordered that each citizen himself, under oath, give this tenth to Apollo.

After the execution of this order, Camillus announced that the city of Veii with its territory should also be involved in the donation. After inspection and appraisal, the State Treasury allocated a tenth of the cost. For all these sums, it was decided to make a golden mug and bring it as a gift to Apollo. To do this, it was necessary to exchange copper for gold, and there was little gold in the city. The Roman women offered their gold ornaments, and so eight talents of gold were collected. As a reward for this generous sacrifice, the Senate granted the matrons the honorable right to travel within the city in carriages. Delivery of the gift was entrusted to the three most honorable citizens, who went to Delphi on a richly decorated ship. Not far from the Strait of Sicily, the Liparian pirates attacked the deputation and took the ship to Lipara, but the Liparian strategist Timazites freed him and escorted him first to Delphi, and then back to Rome. For this, the Senate honored him with Roman hospitality.

City plan of Veii

The irritation of the people against Camillus was caused by another circumstance connected with the conquest of Wei. The vast fertile fields of the Veians became Roman state property, and the tribunes demanded that the people be given a proportional share in the use of these lands. But such a requirement was not at all to the liking of the patricians. Discussions began. Tribunus Sicinius proposed that one part of the Roman patricians and plebeians should move to Veii, while the other would remain in Rome, but both cities would form one indivisible state. It was a very bad idea. The patricians were well aware that the execution of this proposal was fraught with danger to the existence of the state, and swore that they were ready to die rather than agree to this. “Already in one city,” they said, “we will not end up with strife and displeasure; what will happen when there are two of them? And besides, who would dare to prefer the conquered, abandoned by the gods of Veii to the victorious Rome? No force will force us to leave Romulus, the divine founder of our state, in order to follow some Sicinius to a city on which lies the wrath and curse of the gods!

The plebeians, on the other hand, were very fond of the vast city with its beautiful houses and magnificent fields. The dispute in this case lasted for more than two years. At last the day of the general and final casting of votes arrived. Sicinius' proposal was rejected by a one-vote majority. Delighted by this victory, the next day the Senate promulgated a resolution on the withdrawal of all plebeians, without exception, seven acres of the land belonging to the people of Veii.

In this long and stubborn struggle, Camillus remained the head and leader of the patrician party, constantly spoke out very strongly against the proposal of Sicinius and incited his associates to resist. It is not surprising, therefore, that the people hated him as their strongest adversary.

After the fall of Veii, the Romans immediately turned their weapons against those cities of Etruria that supported Veii in the war. Already in 395, the capenates, as a result of the devastation of their territory by the Romans, expressed their obedience to them. The Falisci resisted longer. Camillus, elected consul for the fourth time, opposed them the following year. He defeated the enemy in one battle and forced them to retreat behind the walls of Faleria. But this city, built on a high and steep cliff and surrounded by a stone wall, could resist the enemy for a long time also thanks to a good supply of military and food supplies. A long siege was foreseen. However, things took a favorable turn faster than expected.

One schoolmaster, to whom the aristocrats of the city of Faleria entrusted their children, came up with the treacherous idea of ​​giving these children into the hands of a Roman general. He took his students out of the city every day for gymnastic exercises and gradually taught them to move further and further away from the walls of the city. Finally, he went with them to the Roman posts and there announced that he wanted to talk with the commander.

Brought to Camillus, the traitor told him that he put his favor above his duty and, together with these boys, whose fathers are at the head of the Falerian government, transfers his city into the hands of the Romans. Hearing these words, Camillus was horrified and answered: “Neither the people, nor the commander, to whom you, the villain, came with your unholy gift, share your way of thinking. It is true that there is no alliance between us and the Falisci, such as people usually make between themselves; but the union by which nature unites people exists and must remain inseparable. War, like peace, has its rights, and we know how to defend them just as well as bravely. We are not at war with these children, who are spared even in the conquest of cities, but with armed men who, without receiving any harm or insult from us, attacked the Roman camp in front of Veii. You conquered them, as far as it was possible for you, with the help of your unheard-of crime; I want to win the victory by the same Roman means that helped me take possession of Veii, that is, courage, trenches and weapons.

Nicolas Poussin: Marcus Furius Camille releases the children of Faleria with their teacher who betrayed them. 1637, Paris, Louvre

After that, he ordered the traitor to be stripped naked and his hands tied on his back, and he provided the children with rods and whips so that they would drive him back to the city. It was at this time that the Falisci learned of the teacher's betrayal. But at that moment, as noble fathers and mothers rushed in despair to the walls and beyond the gates of the city, the children appeared in front of them, chasing the naked and bound teacher. All the people rejoiced and marveled at the justice and generosity of Camillus. Immediately a popular assembly was convened, at which they decided to send an embassy to Camillus with a statement that the city was placing its fate in his hands. Camillus sent these messengers to the Roman Senate, and they addressed him with the following words: “You, venerable fathers, and your commander won over us a victory that cannot be condemned by either gods or people, and we surrender to you in the conviction that under your rule we will live happier than under the rule of our own laws. The outcome of this war provides the human race with two good examples: you preferred honesty to undoubted victory in the war, we, touched by this honesty, brought you victory voluntarily. We are your subjects. Send whoever you want to receive our weapons, our hostages and our city, which awaits you with open gates. You will never have to be dissatisfied with our allegiance, just as we are with your dominion.

The Senate left the determination of the terms of the peace to Camillus's personal discretion. The latter entrusted the Falisci with the payment of the salaries of the soldiers for this year, in order to save the Roman people from the expense, made peace and friendly alliance with them, and returned to Rome, where the senate and citizens greeted him with expressions of deep gratitude. In the following years, 392 and 391, the Etruscan cities of Salpinum and Volsinia also submitted. In the hands of the Romans was already a large part of Southern Etruria, and after the victorious wars with the southern peoples - Volsci and Equami - and the area from the Lyris River up to the Ciminian forest.

The prosperity of Rome grew rapidly, but suddenly, quite unexpectedly, a disaster appeared from the north, which almost destroyed it. These were the Gauls. And not long before, the Romans had expelled from their walls their greatest citizen, Camillus, who might have been able to avert this disgrace. To the hatred of the people, which he aroused against himself by the proud atmosphere of his triumphal entry, the demand for the return of booty and the resistance of the distribution of the fields of Veyentin, Camillus added one more reason - in the last campaign against the falisci, he also gave the soldiers not all the booty taken from the enemy. Thanks to all these circumstances, the people quickly forgot the great merits of Camillus and began to look at him as the arrogant head of the selfish patricians and the hard-hearted oppressor of the lower classes. Long held indignation erupted. In 391, the tribune Apuleius accused Camillus before a popular assembly of concealing part of the Veian booty. No matter how unfair the accuser's testimony was, the crowd was so irritated against Camillus that there was no point in justifying him.

At this time, Camillus was in mourning on the occasion of the death of his son and did not go anywhere from home. Upon learning of what had happened, he called his friends and asked them not to allow him to be unjustly convicted on such a shameful charge. Friends replied that they did not see the possibility of defending him before the court, but were ready to help him pay the fine he would most likely be sentenced to. Then the enraged Camillus decided not to wait for the trial and go to a foreign land. He hugged his wife and son and left the house. Having reached the city gates, he stopped, turned around and, raising his hands towards the Capitol, prayed to the gods that the Romans would soon repent of his unjust and shameful accusation and that the whole world would see that they needed his help and longed for his return. After this prayer, he left the city and went to Ardea. At the trial, he was sentenced in absentia to a fine of 15,000 asses.

Shortly before this, citizen Marcus Cedicius, who was considered a decent and honest man, told the consuls that the night before he was walking along the so-called new street and heard someone loudly call him by name. He looked around - the street was empty. But the same voice shouted to him with inhuman force the following words: “Mark Cedicius, go early in the morning to the authorities and say that the Gauls will soon be visiting the Romans!” The consuls laughed at this news, knowing that the Gauls were at that time very far away. However, less than a year later, this terrible people moved against Rome. According to Livy, the reason that prompted the first crowds of Celts, or, as the Romans called them, Gauls, to cross the Alps from Gaul, or France, into upper Italy, was the sweetness of the fruits and wine there that tempted them. With wine, knowing that it would serve as a bait for them, they were introduced to one noble inhabitant of the Etruscan city of Clusia, Aruns. He did this in order to avenge the grave insult inflicted on him by one of his fellow citizens, Lukumon. Aruns showed the Gauls the way through the Alps and brought them to Clusium.

Gaul

The Gauls were coarse, wild and warlike barbarians of gigantic stature, with a ferocious expression, long and shaggy hair and huge beards. The peaceful cultivation of the land with their own hands seemed to the free Gauls a shameful occupation - they loved the nomadic pastoral life and battles for the purpose of robbery. With such inclinations, there could be no question of establishing a stable state order. Their distinguishing features are mobility, unbridledness, lack of restraint, indisposition to order and discipline, vanity and boasting. They fought without helmets and usually without slings with long, poorly tempered swords, holding a huge shield in their hands, mostly on foot, but in those cases when a small detachment participated in the matter, on horseback. Chariots were also in use. Like mad they rushed at the enemy, filling the air with a terrible roar and howling, and accompanying these cries with the deafening sounds of countless horns. Such an enemy was a completely new phenomenon for the Italic peoples and, at the first skirmish, terrified and put to flight even a courageous, battle-tested Roman. When these terrible barbarians settled down in front of the walls of Clusium and began to devastate the lands that belonged to this city, its inhabitants, frightened by the masses of a completely unfamiliar, unprecedented people, sent an embassy to Rome asking for help, although until that time they had never been in any kind of friendly relations with Rome.

The Romans had no desire to undertake a campaign in such a remote city, but instead of prudently refraining from interfering in this matter, they sent an embassy to Clusium, which was charged with persuading the Gauls to a voluntary retreat. The embassy consisted of three Fabii, sons of the high priest Marcus Fabius Ambustus, young and frivolous people. Appearing to the Gauls, they conveyed to them the request of the Roman Senate not to attack people who had done them no harm and who were allies and friends of the Roman people, and added that the Romans, if it turned out to be necessary, would be able to protect Clusium with weapons, but that they preferred to live with Gauls in peace and harmony. There was nothing insulting or hostile in these words, but the ambassadors uttered them with self-confidence and haughtiness. The Gauls replied that although they heard the name of the Romans for the first time, they believed that they were a brave people, since otherwise the Clusians would not have turned to him with a request for intercession. “If,” they added, “you prefer the intercession of the embassy to arms to protect your allies, then we will not reject the peace offered to us, if the Clusians cede to us part of their lands, of which they have too much, and do not agree, we will fight them in your presence, so that you can testify at home to what extent the Gauls excel all other people in courage.

Then the Romans asked, on the basis of what right can land be taken away from their owners and what, in fact, are the Gauls looking for in Etruria? “Our right,” the Gauls answered arrogantly, “is in our weapons; brave people own the world." This was followed by a fight between the Gauls and the Clusians. The Roman ambassadors, prompted by indignation against the newcomers-barbarians and their militancy, had the imprudence, contrary to the principles of international law, to join the ranks of the Clusians. Quintus Fabius, ran into one of the Gallic leaders and pierced him with a spear. At that moment, when he removed weapons from the dead, the Gauls recognized him and immediately stopped the battle. This violation of international law so angered them that many were eager to immediately move to Rome and take revenge, but the elders insisted on sending an embassy to Rome in advance demanding the extradition of the Fabius. The tallest people from the entire army were chosen as ambassadors.

The Senate did not approve of the action of the Fabius and found the Gauls' demand just, but nevertheless could not decide to give members of such a noble family to the mercy of the cruelty of the barbarians. So he left the decision to the people. The people refused to extradite them, and even elected three Fabii consuls-tribunes for the following year. The Gauls replied that as long as the Roman held such a position, his person was inviolable and that they could return in a year if their indignation had not yet subsided. Such a mockery infuriated the Gauls, and 70,000 troops immediately marched against Rome. With their usual speed, they descended along the left bank of the Tiber to the river Allia, eleven miles from Rome. Here they were met by a Roman army of 40,000 people. There was no time to set up camp. The core of the Roman army, 24,000 men, took up a position on the plain between the Tiber and the hills to its right, and the rest of it was placed on these hills. The Gauls did not engage in battle with the main Roman forces established on the plain, but rushed at the troops stationed on the heights. With a terrible howl, in a deafening screech of horns, cutting right and left with long swords, they burst into the enemy ranks in such masses and so furiously that the Romans, not accustomed to such an attack, were horrified and fled. They rushed to the plain and dragged the troops stationed there behind them. The Gauls rushed after them and drove most of the army to the Tiber, while less significant detachments hid in a nearby forest or fled along the high road to Rome. The horror of the fugitives was so great that the back rows advanced on the front, and finally the whole mass rushed into the Tiber, where many drowned from the weight of their weapons.

Those who managed to cross the river fled to the deserted Veii and took refuge there behind the city walls (July 18, 390). Such a swift and complete defeat was unheard of in Roman history. The Gauls were amazed at such an easy and sudden victory. This Roman people, so haughty and self-confident in words, proved to be so cowardly and helpless in battle! First, the victors stopped, not understanding what had happened, then they began to look around, fearing an ambush, and finally, not seeing anything hostile, they began to plunder. They scattered over the battlefield, removed from the dead everything that they found on them, cut off their heads, piled up mountains of weapons and drank all night in commemoration of victory. The next day they moved against Rome. The horsemen sent ahead returned with the news that all the city gates were open, there was no guard post in front of any of them, and not a single armed man was visible on the walls. The Gauls, fearing an ambush and not daring to enter the city at night, again stopped and camped for the night between Rome and Anio.

This slowness of the enemy was a blessing to the Romans. Panic reigned in the city. Only a few of the armed warriors came running to Rome, and there was nothing to think about defending it. When wild cries and victorious songs of the barbarians were heard not far from the city walls, everyone who could only wield weapons hurried with their wives and children to the Capitol in order to protect at least their native gods and the name of Rome from this fortress. The rest of the people went to the Janiculum hill and from there scattered around the surroundings. A significant part fled to Caere. The priests of Quirinus and the vestal virgins entrusted to them with the preservation of the shrine were also transferred there; the rest of the sacred objects were buried in a chapel near Cloaca Maxima. The oldest senators, about eighty people, decided to die for their people. Having dressed in an honorary dress, these elders went out to the square, sat there in their curule chairs and waited for the enemy. The high priest Mark Fabius read them the formula of self-doom to death.

Brenn and Senators. Paul Joseph Jamin

The next day, the Gauls passed through the Colline Gate into the city without any resistance. The streets were empty, the houses were closed. With secret horror, the barbarians moved through extinct Rome until they reached the square. Here they saw venerable elders sitting motionless in armchairs, with long staffs in their hands. The grandeur with which their faces were imbued gave them the appearance of gods. With reverence, the savages looked at these motionless figures, doubting whether these were living creatures or a statue of stone. Finally, a Gaul approached Marcus Papyrius and stroked his long gray beard, the old man got angry and hit the impudent one on the head with his ivory staff. Gallus immediately cut him down, and after that the barbarians rushed at the rest and killed them on the spot. After that, they scattered around the city, began to break into houses, rob and burn them. Soon a fire broke out in different parts of the city, and after a few days all of Rome was a pile of ashes, with the exception of a few houses in which the leaders of the Gauls temporarily settled.

Having finished with the houses, the Gauls took up the fortress and the Capitol. They went on the assault, but were repulsed with such bloodshed that they did not dare to make a second attempt and decided to force the fortress to surrender by starvation. However, the besiegers soon fared worse than the besieged. Carried away by the thirst for destruction, they, along with the houses, burned down the entire supply of grain that was in the city, and the Romans had previously transported bread from the villages to Veii. As a result, hunger soon began in the numerous Gallic army, and with it diseases and fevers appeared, caused not only by a lack of food, but also by scorching heat, to which the Gauls were not accustomed and from which they had nowhere to hide in the destroyed and burned city.

Then the Gauls divided into two parts - one continued to keep the fortress under siege, and the other raided neighboring peoples, robbed them and delivered food to their comrades. One of these detachments also appeared in front of Ardea, where Camillus lived in exile. Hearing that the inhabitants of Ardea, frightened by the approach of the enemy, hastily gathered for a general meeting, Camillus appeared in their assembly and offered a bold feat. As soon as night fell, all of them, led by Camillus, rushed to the enemy camp, in which the soldiers lay drunk, in disarray, not expecting an attack. There was no question of a proper battle - a massacre began. The half-asleep Gauls were cut to pieces, and those who were at the farthest end of the camp took to flight and left all the booty they had looted in the hands of the victors. Part of the fugitives reached the limits of Antium, but was exterminated by the inhabitants of this city.

A similar defeat was suffered by the Etruscans in front of Veii, where quite a lot of Romans managed to gather during this time. The Etruscans took advantage of the disaster of Rome to avenge his previous defeats. They invaded the Roman region, plundered it and gathered with booty in front of Veii to attack this city. The Romans, seeing that even the Etruscans, because of whom they brought war with the Gauls, scoff at their calamity, became indignant and decided to punish the impudent. They chose Cedicius as their leader and attacked the Etruscans at night, of whom only a few survived. This fortuitous feat lifted the spirits of the Veianan Romans, whose strength grew daily due to the constant influx of armed men from Latium. It seemed to them that the time had come to wrest Rome from the hands of the enemy. But this lacked such a leader, which was needed in such important circumstances. Then they remembered Camille and decided to call him from Ardea, asking permission from the Roman Senate. A brave young man named Pontius Cominius took over this task. He sailed at night along the Tiber and, having deceived the vigilance of the Gallic sentries, climbed up the steep cliff at the Carmental Gate, was led to the senators and announced the purpose of his arrival. The senators allowed Camillus to be summoned and appointed dictator, which was done immediately upon Cominius' return to Veii.

While the army was being prepared in Veii, the Roman fortress and the Capitol were in great danger. The Gauls found the footprints of Cominius on the cliff and the next night tried to enter the fortress by the same way. One unarmed climbed forward, the next handed him a weapon and climbed himself in the same way as the first. Thus, helping each other, they all gradually reached the top so successfully that none of the sentries noticed it. Even the dogs remained calm. But the geese, kept in the temple of Juno, heard the approach of outsiders and made a noise. Their cries and flapping of wings awakened Marcus Manlius, a famous warrior who had been consul three years before. He jumped up, grabbed his weapons, raised everyone in the Capitol to their feet and hurried to where he suspected danger. With a strong blow of the sword, he quickly threw off the gall of the already standing cliff at the top. He in the fall carried away those who stood closer to him. The rest, still climbing up, were thrown back by arrows and stones. Thus was the salvation of the Capitol accomplished. The blundered sentries were thrown off the cliff the next day. The soldiers honored the Savior Manlius by the fact that each of them brought to his house, which was in the fortress, half a pound of bread and a quarter of wine - an insignificant gift, but with that lack of food supplies, it was an excellent proof of gratitude. The origin of a peculiar Roman custom is attributed to the same event, which consisted in the fact that every year, on a certain day, a dog crucified on a cross and a magnificently cleaned goose were solemnly carried through the streets in order to pay honor to the geese, the saviors of the Capitol, and to punish the dogs that had forgotten their duty.

The most painful for the Romans in the siege was hunger. The besieged had already eaten the skin of their shields and soles, and help from Wei never showed up. But the Gauls also suffered no less from hunger and disease, and a long exhausting siege finally exhausted them greatly. They offered the Romans negotiations. In order to deceive the Gauls, the Romans scattered a large amount of bread, as if from an excess of food supplies, and the Gauls finally decided to conclude a peace treaty. His conditions, however, turned out to be rather difficult for the Romans - they had to pay a thousand pounds of gold for the retreat of the enemy. In addition, the winners began to weigh this gold on fake scales. The tribune consul, Quintus Sulpicius, who led the Romans under Allia, and now concludes a treaty, was indignant at this injustice. Then Brennus, the leader of the Gauls, arrogantly threw his sword on the scales and exclaimed: “Woe to the vanquished!”

“But,” says Livy, “the gods and people averted from the Romans the shameful fate of living by people who bought off gold. The weighing had not yet ended, when Camillus appeared in Rome, accompanied by his army, and declared the treaty null and void, on the grounds that the right to conclude treaties on behalf of the state belonged exclusively to him, as a dictator. A battle took place on the ruins of Rome, in which the bewildered Gauls were defeated as easily as the Romans at Allia. They fled, but during the retreat they suffered once again on the road in Gabii, at the eighth pardon pillar from Rome, such a terrible defeat that there was not even a single person left among them who could announce to others about the disasters that had befallen them. Camillus, having again saved the fatherland from enemies, solemnly entered the city, and the soldiers in their victorious songs called him Romulus, the father of the fatherland and the second founder of Rome.

Woe to the vanquished!

What was the state of the city into which the victor had now entered? All houses lay in ashes and ruins. Only temples and large stone buildings survived. Residents began to flock from all sides, but were deprived of the most necessary for existence - not only food and shelter, but also household utensils and agricultural tools. The number of citizens capable of bearing arms was significantly reduced, and the neighboring peoples conquered by Rome were not at all averse to taking advantage of the helplessness and ruin of their conquerors in order to regain their freedom. In this critical situation, the concentration of supreme power in one hand seemed the most appropriate. Therefore, the patricians asked Camillus to remain dictator until he put the city and state in order. At the same time, they also remembered the need to make amends for the sin of an inattentive attitude to the voice that announced the invasion of the Gauls, and an order was given to build a temple on the “new street” of Locutius, i.e., making a verbal indication. The gold taken back from the Gauls, together with other gold saved in various temples, was placed under the chair of Jupiter in the Capitol as church property.

At the same time, the tribunes did not cease to insist in popular assemblies that the people should leave Rome in ruins and move to Veii, where everything was preserved intact and intact. The people expressed their readiness to exchange Rome for Veii already before, immediately after the conquest of this city. Now this resettlement suited him all the more because his native Rome was a heap of ruins. But the patricians, led by Camillus, tried with all their might to prevent this turning point in the history of the development of the Roman state. In a speech delivered to the assembled people, Camillus very energetically urged the citizens not to leave their native land, not to leave the city founded by God's permission, where each place had its own shrines, its gods, and managed to win over many to its side, but a decisive turn was given to the cause. an accident that the people took for the manifestation of the will of the gods. While the Senate in the Hostilian Curia was deliberating on this matter, a cohort, just changed from guard, was passing through the square. Coming up with the curia, the head of the detachment ordered: "Put your banner here! This is the best place to stop!” Hearing these words, the senators joyfully ran out into the square and pointed out to the people this omen. The crowd did not resist anymore and agreed.

Thus, the offer of the tribunes was rejected, and following this, construction began in many places in the city. Brick was distributed from the treasury, and everyone was allowed to quarry stone and cut wood anywhere, if the builder assumed the obligation to complete the work within the same year. Most of the building material was probably brought by the people from the Veii, which the senate allowed very willingly, since the destruction of this city was to forever destroy the plans of the plebeians regarding the migration from Rome. Due to the fact that everyone wanted to get shelter and shelter as soon as possible, the construction was carried out very hastily - small houses were erected and clung one next to the other in disorder. Thus narrow and crooked streets were formed. Rome retained this wrong and ugly appearance until the time of the emperors.

The Gauls invaded in 390 BC. In subsequent years, the neighbors tried to take advantage of the weakness of Rome in order to overthrow the Roman yoke or return their former possessions. The Volsci, the Aequis and the Etruscans, reinforced by the Latins and Guernicans, took up arms and put the Romans in a critical position. I had to turn to Camille again. In 389 he was again elected dictator. He marched against the Volsci, who surrounded one of the Roman armies, but, learning of the approach of Camillus, hastened to fence their own camp on all sides with barricades of trees. Camillus set fire to these fortifications, defeated the Volscians and moved against the Aequi, whom he also defeated and took the Roman city of Bolu conquered by them.

While he was at war with the Equii, the Etruscans laid siege to the Roman colony and fortress of Sutrium. Camillus quickly went to the aid of the besieged and appeared in front of Sutrium just at the moment when the Etruscans took possession of it and, unaware of the danger, plundered the city. Camillus swiftly attacked them, took away the booty and destroyed their army. On his return to Rome, he was honored with three triumphs. In the next ten years, during which Camillus was elected consul-tribune three more times, so many new peoples were added to the conquered peoples mentioned above, that the dominion of Rome was again established in the former vast area.

To increase the number of citizens, which had been greatly reduced after the Gallic invasion, the Senate in 388 granted Roman citizenship to those inhabitants of Vei, Capena and Faleria who had helped the Romans in the wars of this and the previous year. From this new population four new tribes were formed, thus increasing the number of tribes from 21 to 25. A long series of wars before and after the invasion of the Gauls, the destruction and restoration of Rome again led to the extreme impoverishment of the majority of the plebeians, which could not be helped by meager land allotments to individuals . The frightened and driven people patiently endured their fate. In 376, two tribunes, K. Licinius Stolon and L. Sextius, again raised the question of the distribution of fields and the softening of decrees on debts, and in addition to the laws relating to these two cases, they also proposed, in the interests of the plebeians, a third - on the highest state office.

These three bills were as follows: 1) Every Roman citizen has the right to use public land, but not more than 500 acres; in the same way, no one has the right to graze on public meadows more than ten large and one hundred small cattle. The lease term for the use of land is determined to be five years, and payment for it goes to the salaries of the troops. 2) Interest already paid should be deducted from the sums constituting private debts, and the rest of the debt should be spread over three years. 3) The election of tribune consuls ceases, and instead, following the example of the past, two consuls must be elected annually, one of which must be from the plebeians.

These laws were bound to do great damage to the privileges and interests of the patricians, and so the patricians persuaded the other eight tribunes to oppose. But for ten years in a row the people elected both authors of the bills mentioned above as tribunes and supported them with all their might in this matter. As the number of protesting tribunes dwindled every year, and the patricians became more and more hopeless of success, in 368 they resorted to the last and last resort: they restored the office of dictator and elected to it the tried protector of their party, Camillus, who at that time was for about eighty years now. Despite his advanced age, Camillus very energetically set to work. On the very day when the tribunes expected at last to pass the laws for which they had advocated for so many years, he announced recruitment to the army and, under the threat of severe punishments, recalled the people from the square to the Campus Martius. Then the tribunes, in turn, threatened him with a large fine if he did not cease to exclude the people from voting.

Praetor

This time the dictator got scared. He retired to his house and a few days later, under the pretext of illness, resigned the dictatorship. Probably, it became clear to him that any resistance to the will of the people was useless, and from that time on he began to advise the patricians to yield. But they still stood their ground and appointed Manlius dictator. His opposition also came to nothing, and the proposals of Licinius, after a ten-year struggle, finally received the force of law. L. Sextius, a plebeian, was elected consul for 366. But since the patricians refused to approve the choice of new consuls, and thus opened up the prospect of new and long disputes, Camillus intervened in the matter and arranged an agreement by which the judicial power was separated from the post of consul and entrusted to a special official from the patricians. This is how the praetoria arose. The praetor was, to some extent, the third consul, in charge of the proceedings and, in the absence of the consuls, exercising their office. With this timely concession, old Camillus rendered a new great service to the state, which he had already saved so many times. The establishment of peace between both estates was his last political act. And shortly before that, in 367, when Rome was again threatened by the invasion of the Gauls, he was elected dictator for the fifth time and in this rank won a brilliant victory over the Gauls in the Alban region.

In 365, Camillus died of a pestilence, and his death was a very heavy loss for the state. “For this man was truly indispensable in every position; already before his exile, he was the first in war and peace, he became even higher after this exile, either because the state treated him so unjustly, which, later finding itself in the hands of the enemy, turned to the exile with a plea for salvation, or because on his happiness fell to his share - together with his own return to his native city, to return to this city the former well-being, And for the next twenty-five years (so long after that he lived in the world) he held on to the height to which such high fame placed him, and was recognized by all as a man who deserved the name of the second founder of Rome "(Livy).

Mark Furius Camillus is a Roman commander, a historical character (died in 364 BC), whose deeds are covered with legends and became the property of mythology. According to myth, the Romans unsuccessfully besieged the Etruscan city of Veii for ten years (as long as the siege of Troy lasted), until a soothsayer told them that the city would not fall unless the nearby lake was drained, the water level in which had risen unusually high. Under the leadership of Camillus, the lake was immediately drained, for which he, already three times consul, was appointed dictator. Then, on his orders, the Romans began to dig an underground passage. The warriors who worked in it accidentally heard how, in the temple of Juno located above them, the king of Veii proudly declared that the side that made the sacrifice that he now intends to perform will certainly win the war. The warriors of Camillus burst from the underground passage into the temple, completed the barely begun sacrifice and captured the city, after which Camillus transferred the statue of Juno to a temple specially built for him in Rome. He then laid siege to the nearby city of Falerii. During this siege, the schoolmaster treacherously betrayed Camilla as hostages to the children of the noblest Falerians, but the noble Camillus refused to accept the traitor's service and generously returned the children to their parents. The latter were so moved by the act of the Roman general that they surrendered and made an alliance with Rome. Shortly thereafter, Camillus was accused of misappropriation of trophies captured from the Etruscans and an excessively magnificent celebration of his triumph, and he went into exile. Just at this time, the army of Gauls who invaded Italy approached Rome. Having defeated the Romans in the battle at the river Allia (historical event, 390 BC), the Gauls captured and plundered Rome, killing the priests and elders who remained in the city. They could not take only the fortified Capitoline Hill, which remained in the hands of the Romans. Camillus was appointed commander-in-chief of the Roman troops remaining outside the city. In order for the Senate to approve his appointment, and also to inform the Romans, who were severely starving on the Capitol, about close help, he sent a messenger to the hill besieged by the Gauls - the Roman youth Cominius. The traces left by the messenger at night when climbing the impregnable fortress wall were noticed by the Gauls during the day, and their king Brenn decided that his soldiers, following the example of the Roman messenger, should climb an almost sheer cliff at night. But the movement of the enemy soldiers awakened the geese dedicated to Juno, whose temple was on the Capitol, and they cackled; the awakened Romans repulsed the night assault, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. Soon the besieged could no longer endure hunger and tried to pay off the Gauls with gold. When weighing the gold presented as a ransom, the Gauls, bringing the wrong weights, tried to deceive the Romans, and when the Roman tribune began to object, Brennus threw his sword on the scales, and the Romans heard unbearable words for them: vae victis - "woe to the vanquished." Just at this time, Camillus approached Rome at the head of a large army. He rejected the terms of surrender and challenged the Gauls to battle - the sword should decide, not gold. Having inflicted a crushing defeat on the enemy, he triumphantly entered the liberated city at the head of his soldiers. Many Romans, especially the poorer ones, wanted to move the capital to Veii, which, they believed, was located in a more advantageous place in terms of defense. Camillus, however, convinced his fellow citizens that the victory won was useless if they left Rome, and remained in office until the city was fully restored, for which he received the honorary title of "the second founder of Rome."

Marcus Furius Camillus is. one of the heroes of ancient Rome. He commanded troops and always won brilliant victories over the enemy. Four times he was awarded the highest award to the winner - a great triumph.

The common people loved Camillus for the fact that his character combined personal modesty and military courage, for the ability to command, obey, for a sharp, inquisitive mind, and for the fact that he first of all thought about his homeland.

The Romans fought a lot with their neighbors. They conquered a significant part of Central Italy. The most powerful opponents of Rome were the Aequi and Volsci. The fight against them was long and difficult. In one of these wars, the young Mark Furius Camillus distinguished himself for the first time.

During the battle, when he was riding ahead of the detachment on a horse, a dart thrown by an enemy soldier pierced his thigh. But the rider, pulling the dart out of the wound, continued to fight, putting the enemy to flight. In Rome, they talked a lot about the courage and courage of Camillus.

However, Mark Furius Camillus won lasting glory in the war with Veii, one of the richest and most beautiful cities of Etruria (modern Tuscany). Strong Veii were constant rivals of Rome: in many battles with them, the Romans were defeated. The outcome of the eternal struggle could only be decided by the conquest or destruction of Wei.

Having gathered significant forces, the Romans began to lay siege to the enemy city, which was surrounded by high, strong walls. The Wei defenders were well armed and had large food supplies. The siege turned out to be a difficult and lengthy affair: year after year, it was not possible to capture Veii.

Seven years passed when the soldiers and citizens of Rome began to grumble:

Our bosses are too indecisive!..

They linger like turtles!

It is necessary to remove them ... The Senate appointed new commanders, among whom was Mark Furius Camillus. First, Camillus spoke out against those cities that helped the Ways, and defeated the enemy. Although this slightly alleviated the position of the Romans under Veii, the siege continued without any serious hope of success.

One autumn, misfortune happened: the waters of a mountain lake in the Alban Mountains overflowed their banks and rushed down, flooding meadows, arable land, sweeping away all the buildings in their path ...

Both the Romans and the besieged learned about what happened on Lake Albany. Everyone was amazed by the formidable phenomenon of nature. Unable to explain it, people considered it a miracle, a bad omen. The besieged rejoiced at the misfortune of the Romans. One of the Etruscan warriors mockingly shouted from the wall:

Hey Romans! Your deeds are bad! Never take you the glorious city of Wei! Alban waters proved it!..

A few days later, during a skirmish at the city wall, one of the Roman soldiers recognized the mocker and captured him. The prisoner told the Romans the following:

I will tell you a secret. There is a prediction that the Veii will fall only when the enemy turns back the rushing waters of the Alban Lake and prevents them from connecting with the sea ...

The superstitious Romans believed the prediction, and thousands of people came out with hoes and shovels to erect a barrier in the way of the waters. A drainage channel was also built.

However, Veii did not fall. For another three years, the soldiers of Rome had to stand under the walls of the city. The tenth year of the siege began. The Roman people were extremely dissatisfied and demanded decisive action. The Senate resorted to extreme measures: it deprived all the officials of Rome of power and instead appointed Marcus Furius Camillus as dictator. From now on, he became in charge of all military and civil affairs in the state. Camillus set to work energetically, invading the lands of the Falisci, who were helping Veii, and defeated them. The Romans also struck at the other allies of the besieged city. Calm for his rear, Camillus took up the siege. He carefully examined the fortifications of the city and realized that a direct assault was too dangerous and risky. The Roman commander thought for a long time what way to choose to fight the enemies. He remembered how thousands of citizens of Rome were digging the ground near the Alban Lake, how quickly the drainage channel grew ... Camillus gave the order to stop the disorderly skirmishes with the besieged and strengthen the siege structures. There was a temporary calm. The defenders of Wei taunted the enemy, shouting that the Romans were afraid of battle and therefore took refuge in fear in their camp. Meanwhile, unnoticed by the enemies, Camillus's warriors were digging a tunnel under the walls of the city. The ground was soft and work progressed quickly. Changing every six hours, day and night, Roman soldiers dug an underground passage. A few weeks later, a deep and long tunnel, which ended inside the city, was completed. And then came the decisive day. Part of the Roman army, led by Camillus, moved towards the city, as if intending to storm it. The Wei defenders took up their fighting positions on the walls and towers, ready to repulse the enemy. At this time, another part of the Roman soldiers secretly entered the underground passage and soon found themselves inside the fortress. According to legend, the exit from the tunnel accidentally fell under the temple of the goddess Hera, which was considered the largest and most revered in Veii. The Romans hid in their hideout, waiting for the signal to attack. And there was worship in the church. The voice of the priest was heard, who said: The one who completes this rite will win ... The Romans broke open the floor and appeared in front of the astonished Etruscans. All who were in the temple surrendered to the mercy of the conqueror. This happened at the time when the general assault on the city began. Veii fell. The Romans, having captured huge booty, achieved their desired goal and crushed a powerful rival.

Camillus was awarded a great triumph and celebrated it with such pomp that aroused the envy of some citizens. Particular dissatisfaction was caused by the fact that four white horses were harnessed to the triumphal chariot of Camillus.

No one did this, - envious people said, - Camillus wants to be equal to the gods ...

However, the military art of Camillus was soon required again: a new war broke out with the inhabitants of the city of Falerius, And again Mark was placed at the head of the troops.

In 394 BC. e. he laid siege to Falerium, a city well fortified and well prepared for a long defense. Camillus immediately realized that with one blow, from a raid, such a fortress could not be taken. He deployed his troops under the walls of Falerii and began the siege. Confident in the strength of the fortifications that surrounded the city on all sides, the Falerians were not afraid of the enemy: only sentinels were on the towers and walls. The people continued to go about their daily business. Even the children, as usual, went out with their teacher for a walk outside the city gates.

The teacher turned out to be a traitor who planned to strike his fellow citizens with a blow to the very heart. On a walk, he imperceptibly moved further and further away from him every day. walls. The children soon got used to it. Several weeks passed, and the day came when he succeeded in carrying out his cunning plan. Coming out, as always, with the children, the teacher this time led them to the enemy camp and called out to the Roman sentries. When the enemy soldiers approached, he handed over the children to them, and asked himself to be taken to the Roman commander. The soldiers took him and the children to Camillus. The teacher bowed low and said, pointing to the children:

I am the teacher of these children. I have to train and protect them. But it is more important to me, Camille, to do you a favor than to do my duty. That's why I came to you and brought my children with me. With them I brought you Falerius.

Camillus was horrified by the act of the teacher, who betrayed defenseless children to enemies. He turned away from the teacher and loudly said to those around him:

Quirites! You all know that war is not a joyful business. War always brings violence and injustice. Still, for an honest warrior, there are some laws in war. We all want victory. But we cannot desire victory at such a cost as dishonor. The commander and his warriors must rely on their art and their courage, and not on someone else's meanness...

With these words, Camillus turned to the lictors and, pointing to the teacher, said:

Take this rascal and tie him up.

The lictors seized the traitor, tore off his clothes and tied his hands behind his back.

Bring the rods and whips, - ordered Camillus and, when this was done, ordered them to be distributed to the children.

Go, children, back to your fathers and mothers, and drive the traitor before you. Let each urge him on with his rod or whip!

The inhabitants of Falerii were shocked to learn of the vile deed of the city teacher. Sobbing, mournful cries were heard everywhere. Crowds of people filled the city walls, when suddenly everyone saw an amazing sight: a naked man with his hands tied behind his back, stumbling, wandered towards the city, and after him, lashing him with whips and rods, shouting and hooting, children walked.

Forgetting about the danger, relatives and friends rushed out of the gate to meet the children.

The Falerians everywhere praised Camillus, calling him their own father, the savior of children. The People's Assembly of the city decided to stop the resistance and sent eminent citizens to announce this to Mark Furius Camillus.

Camillus was merciful to the surrendered Falerians. They paid a small tribute to recoup the expenses incurred by the Romans. Then the recent enemies entered into a friendly alliance.

However, most of the soldiers were dissatisfied with the outcome of the war, and especially with Camillus for preventing them from sacking the city and seizing the booty they were counting on. In Rome, many supported the soldiers. Accusations rained down on Camille one after another. Mark listened to these slanders with bitterness and, believing that he had nothing to justify himself, did not object to his detractors. When they said that he was against the people and did not love his fellow citizens, Camillus could not stand it and decided to leave his native city.

Early in the morning Camillus said goodbye to his family, left the house and went to the city gates. As soon as he left the city, he raised his hands and, looking at Rome spread out before him, exclaimed:

O Romans! You dishonored and exiled me! Soon you will repent, and you will still need Camillus. You will eagerly await his return. And if my homeland is in danger, I will forget the insults and come ...

Thus spoke the noble Camillus as he retired into exile.

Less than a year passed, and a grave disaster fell on the Roman state, which almost led to its death. Rome was invaded by the Gauls.

The Gauls were a people of Celtic origin. Once they left their homeland and moved in search of new lands. Edni tribes marched through the northern regions of Europe, others occupied the plains between the Pyrenees and the Alps. Later, tens of thousands of Gauls crossed the Alps and invaded the fertile valleys of Northern Italy.

The Gauls led a nomadic life. They despised agriculture. Campaigns, battles, feasts they considered the only occupation worthy of men. Small in stature, strongly built, the nomads were born warriors. When fighting, they did not cover their heads with a helmet: their long, shaggy hair fluttered in the wind, and their long mustaches lowered down gave them a wild, warlike look. Before the battle, the warriors put on bright festive clothes, and decorated their necks with gold necklaces. Their weapons were a long sword, a dagger and a pike. The Gauls fought mostly on foot.

At the beginning of the IV century. BC e. one of the numerous tribes of the Gauls invaded Etruria and laid siege to the city of Clusius, friendly to Rome. The inhabitants turned to the Romans for help. The Roman Senate sent ambassadors to the Gauls. Among them were three representatives of the noble and respected family of Fabiev.

The Gauls temporarily ceased hostilities and met the ambassadors with proper honors. They handed over letters taken from Rome and a request from the Senate not to attack the Clusians, ancient allies and friends of the Roman state. Turning to the leader of the Gauls, Brennus, the ambassadors asked:

Why did you attack the city of Clusium? What did its inhabitants do wrong to you?

Brenn laughed brazenly and replied:

The Clusians are guilty of not wanting to give us part of their land, although we are poor and many of us, and they are rich in land. In the same way, the inhabitants of many cities and lands that you captured were guilty before you, the Romans. When peoples do not share with you, you Romans start a war, devastate the lands, conquer cities, and turn the inhabitants into slavery. I do not condemn you and do not see anything unfair and terrible in what you are doing. The strong must subdue the weak. This is an ancient law of both people and animals. Come on, Romans, pity the beleaguered Clusians. Otherwise, the Gauls may follow your example and pity those peoples who suffer injustice from Rome!

The envoys realized that they could not convince the Gauls, and, leaving their camp, went to Clusium to tell there about the results of their negotiations. Soon the besieged undertook a sortie. A battle broke out under the walls of the city. One of the Roman ambassadors, Quintus Ambustus Fabius, having joined the Clusians, attacked one of the Gallic leaders - a tall, dexterous and handsome horseman. The duel was fast paced. Weapons clanged, horses snored, colliding with each other. Because of the speed of the movements and the dust raised * by the horses, at first no one could distinguish who fought on the side of the Clusians. But then the Gallic warrior fell to the ground. The Roman jumped off his horse and began, according to custom, to remove weapons from the dead. And then only the leader of the Gauls recognized in the winner one of the Roman ambassadors. Brenn shouted in a loud voice:

Gods are witnesses! This Roman has violated a sacred custom! He arrived as an ambassador, he was greeted as an ambassador, he was honored, he was allowed into the besieged city ... And now he is fighting against us as an enemy! ..

The Gauls stopped the battle, deciding to lift the siege of Clusium and march on Rome. Their army advanced slowly. Brenn sent envoys to Rome demanding the extradition of Fabius, who had violated the laws of war, while he himself began to wait for an answer. When Rome learned of what had happened, the senate immediately met. Many senators condemned the act of Fabius. The fetial priests, who were considered the guardians of international customs, said:

Quintus Ambustus Fabius committed blasphemy and brought shame on Rome. The Senate must hand over the guilty to the Gauls. May he suffer a just punishment, and Rome restore her honor.

The senators did not come to a consensus and appealed to the People's Assembly. The people liked the courage of Quintus Fabius, and he did not want to punish him. Moreover, Fabius and his brothers were elected military tribunes.

When this became known to the Gauls, they were furious. Their slowness disappeared, and they moved swiftly on Rome. The enemy was in such a hurry to achieve his goal that he did not linger anywhere, did not devastate those lands that lay in his path. When thousands of armed Gauls passed by one of the cities, they shouted to the inhabitants, who locked the gates and stood on the walls, ready for defense:

Do not be afraid! We're going to Rome! We only declared war on the Romans! The rest of the nations are our friends!

The Roman army marched towards the enemy. An army of forty thousand was led by military tribunes. Roman commanders and warriors treated the Gauls with disdain. The Romans set up camp ninety stades (1 Stades - a measure of length - about 185 m) from Rome, at the small river Allia, at its confluence with the Tiber.

Soon the advance detachments of the Gauls appeared, and then their main forces. Thousands of battle horns and pipes began to play, and the air resounded with the terrible cries of the Gauls. They rushed forward, crushed the left wing of the Romans, almost completely destroying it. The right flank also suffered heavy losses and fled. The horror that the Gauls instilled in the hearts of the Roman soldiers was so great that they knocked down and trampled each other in flight. Some of the soldiers fled to Rome. Others took refuge in neighboring Veii, as they were sure that Rome would be occupied by the enemy that same day. The Romans had never known such a defeat. The battle took place on July 18, 390 BC. e.

If the Gauls immediately began to pursue the enemy, they would have burst into Rome on the shoulders of the fugitives. But at first they did not understand the meaning of their - victory. The division of booty also delayed them. Time has been lost.

The Romans took advantage of the respite. Crowds of civilians hurried to leave the city, which the soldiers did not hope to protect. They decided to strengthen only the Capitol - a fortress located on a high hill with steep steep slopes. Weapons and food stocks began to be demolished there.

The oldest senators and priests did not want to hide behind the walls of the Capitol and become a burden for its defenders. They dressed in festive clothes, came to the forum, sat down there in chairs made of ivory, and began to await their fate.

On the third day, after the Battle of Allia, towards evening the Gauls approached Rome. The gates of the city were open, and not a single warrior was visible on the walls. However, the enemy was afraid to immediately enter the city and decided to wait until morning. It seemed incredible to the Gauls that the Romans had given up resistance. They feared some trick or trap. In the morning, the scouts reported that there was no danger, and the Gauls rushed through the Colline Gate to Rome. The streets were empty, the doors of the houses were closed, everything around seemed to have died out. When the Gauls reached the forum, they saw several old men sitting in armchairs. None of them moved. The aliens stopped in amazement, mistaking these people for skillfully made statues. One of the enemy soldiers approached Senator Manius Papirius and gently touched his chin, then, emboldened, pulled at his long beard. The old man raised his staff and hit the impudent offender with it. Gallus drew his sword and cut down Papirius. Other Gauls rushed at the old men and killed them. Then the enemies scattered through the streets, killing everyone who met on their way. Looting, arson and outrages began: Rome caught fire and after a few days turned into a pile of ruins. The Romans, hiding behind the walls of the Capitol, looked with excitement at the death of their native city. They declined the offer to surrender and prepared to defend themselves to the last man.

The siege of the Capitol turned out to be long: months passed, and the fortress could not be taken. Detachments of the Gauls scoured the neighborhood in search of food, devastated them, which aroused the hatred of the local population for themselves.

In the Latin city of Ardea, located one and a half dozen kilometers from Rome, Mark Furius Camillus settled after he was expelled from Rome. He lived there like a simple citizen. However, when the news came about the invasion of the Gauls, about the defeat at Allia, about the death of Rome, Camillus decided to punish the enemies of his homeland. He passionately urged the Ardeans not to stay away from the fight:

The fight against the galls is a common cause. Rome is just the beginning. When the Capitol falls, the barbarians will destroy the cities of Italy one by one. Ardea is also in immediate danger...

The youth eagerly listened to Camilla. The city authorities were also concerned about the events, and they handed over the organization of the city's defense to Camillus. He set to work energetically, arming all who were able to bear arms. So in Ardea, troops were secretly created, the existence of which few people suspected.

After another raid, a large detachment of Gauls returned to Rome. The enemy, burdened with prey, moved slowly. On the plain, not far from Ardea, they camped for the night. Without worrying about anything, they feasted and fell asleep without even posting sentries. The scouts reported everything to Camille, and he decided to take advantage of the carelessness of the enemy. With the onset of darkness, he led his soldiers out of Ardea and unexpectedly attacked the camp of the Gauls. The roar of battle pipes and the screams of the attackers so stunned the enemies that most of them did not even have time to resist and died.

The news of Camillus's success reached the Romans who were in Veii, where they fled after the defeat at Allia. Messengers were sent to Camillus asking him to lead the fight against the Gauls. Camillus answered the messengers:

I can't decide. I am only a servant of the fatherland. Now my fatherland is in the Capitol, where the citizens defend the last piece of Roman soil. Against the will of the defenders of the Capitol, I will do nothing. Their will is my command...

Then the young Pontius Caminius volunteered to sneak into the besieged Capitol and convey the words of Mark. Caminius did not take the letter, so that, in case of failure, the enemies could not learn anything. He memorized everything he needed to convey, put on light clothes, under which he hid a piece of cork oak bark. During the day, Pontius Caminius went all the way and, when it began to get dark, was already on the banks of the Tiber. The bridge was guarded by Gallic sentries. Pontius took off his clothes, wrapped them around his head and entered the river. The cork bark kept it well on the water. Having crossed the Tiber, he went out to the city and cautiously moved on. The light of fires, noise and talk showed him where the enemies were, and Caminius avoided dangerous places. So in the dark he reached the foot of the Capitol. There was silence all around. The Capitol Hill here was especially steep and inaccessible, and therefore the Gauls hardly guarded this place.

With great effort, clinging to every ledge, risking to break every minute, Caminius climbed a sheer cliff. When he reached the wall, he called out to the guards and named himself. He was let in and led to the chiefs. The senate immediately gathered, where Pon-. Tiy announced the victory of Camillus. The besieged knew nothing of this, and their joy was great. The Senate unanimously appointed Marcus Furius Camillus as dictator with unlimited sole power in military and civil affairs.

In the same way, Pontius Caminius went down and returned safely. The Romans joyfully greeted the Senate's decision. Soon Camillus arrived at Veii with his detachment, which was joined by another twenty thousand people. Camille got ready. twist to attack the Gauls.

Meanwhile important events were taking place in Rome. During the day, the Gallic patrol went around the Capitoline Hill and accidentally stopped at the place where the messenger climbed up at night. The soldiers noticed footprints, crumbling clods of earth, broken branches of the bush, which Pontius clung to. The commander was immediately informed about this. Brenn carefully examined the slope of the hill, paused, and then ordered to gather the warriors most skilled in mountain climbing. When they arrived, Brenn addressed them with words.

Warriors, we have been standing here for a long time and do not know how to take possession of the Citadel of Rome. Now the enemies themselves showed the path that we could not find. A Roman climbed that rock, which means that a Gaul can also climb. Where one person could go, another will pass, a third, many people will pass. It will even be easier for many to climb, they will help each other. Tonight we take possession of the Capitol. Go, warriors, you will receive rewards, booty, your courage will bring you glory!

At midnight, a large detachment of Gauls gathered at the foot of the Capitoline Hill. Silently, helping each other, they climbed the rock. The climb turned out to be easier than expected. Soon the first few people reached the summit. Behind them, others rose and began to accumulate against the wall. There was silence inside the citadel: the tired defenders of the fortress were fast asleep. The guards fell asleep too. The guard dogs didn't smell anything either. The Gauls were already ready to climb the wall, when suddenly a chuckle was heard in the Capitol. It was the cry of the sacred geese at the temple of the goddess Juno. Cackling and flapping their wings, the birds raised a terrible noise, from which the Roman soldiers woke up. Seeing that they were discovered, the Gauls, with warlike cries, rushed to the attack.

The former consul Manlius, a brave and strong warrior, was the first to notice the enemy. Two Gauls rushed at him. With one stroke of his sword, Manlius cut off the hand of the enemy, who rushed at him with weapons, and with a blow of the shield he threw the second Gaul from the cliff. At this time, other Romans arrived in time. A fierce fight ensued. Soon all the Gauls were killed, and their bodies were thrown down. In the morning they threw off the cliff and the head of the Roman guard, who, having fallen asleep at his post, almost killed everyone. The valiant Manlius received the highest reward that the besieged could give - each gave him his portion of bread and wine.

After this failure, the Gauls lost heart. In addition, it became increasingly difficult for them to find food, as Camillus attacked troops looking for food. The enemy was in danger of starvation.

Unaccustomed heat exhausted the besiegers. Thousands of unburied corpses poisoned the air. The slightest wind drove dust and ashes from hundreds of burnt houses, making it difficult to breathe. Endemic diseases began in the enemy camp.

The situation of the besieged in the Capitol also became intolerable. It was the seventh month of the siege, food supplies were exhausted, and people were starving. The defenders of the Capitol had no news from Camillus, since the Gauls were now vigilantly guarding, and no one could penetrate the fortress. The exhausted Romans decided to start negotiations. The Gauls also wanted to end the war as soon as possible. The representative of the Romans met with Brennus, who demanded a thousand pounds of gold from the besieged, after which he promised to leave Rome and its possessions. According to custom, the terms of the contract were sealed by a mutual oath.

They brought gold and began to weigh. The Gauls wanted to trick the Romans and get more gold. They slowly, and then openly began to tilt the scales. The Romans were outraged. Then Brenn took off his heavy sword and threw it on the scales.

What does it mean? the Romans exclaimed. - This means - woe to the vanquished! Brenn replied.

The forces were too unequal, and the besieged had to give more gold than was indicated in the contract. At this time, the sounds of trumpets were heard, and Camillus appeared at the gates of the city, followed by his soldiers. He learned about the negotiations with the Gauls and hurried to the aid of his compatriots. Everyone parted before him. Camillus went up to the scales, removed the gold from them, handed it over to his lictors, and said, turning to the newcomers:

Grab your scales, weights and go! The Romans save their honor not with gold, but with iron!

Brenn exclaimed:

The Romans are violating a treaty that is sealed by an oath!

To this Camillus replied:

This agreement is illegal and has no effect. After I was elected dictator, all power passed to me. Only a dictator can conclude an agreement, but I did not and will not conclude it!

Then the enraged Brenn gave the signal for battle. Drawing their swords, the Gauls and Romans rushed at each other. In the narrow streets, among the ruins, no real battle could unfold, but only isolated, disorderly skirmishes that ended when it got dark. Convinced that he could not defeat the Romans, Brennus decided to withdraw his troops from the city, and at night moved towards the city of Gabiy. There, at dawn, Camillus overtook the Gauls. The Romans were eager to fight the enemies of their homeland. A battle began that lasted all day. The Gauls suffered a crushing defeat. The victors returned to liberated Rome, where the Gauls stayed for seven months. The inhabitants who had taken refuge in Veii also returned to Rome. The heroic defenders of the Capitol came out to meet their wives and children: pale, exhausted, barely on their feet from hunger and deprivation, they embraced their loved ones with tears, Everyone praised Camillus and said: He is the second founder of Rome! He returned Rome to Rome!

Camillus was awarded the triumph that he deserved as the savior of the fatherland.

Now there was a lot of work to rebuild the ruined city, but there was little strength and not enough funds. Many citizens said:

Why rebuild Rome? We must leave the ashes and move to Veii. They have survived, and it is convenient to live there.

He forces us to dismantle the ruins and rebuild the city from our own ambition. Camille has little glory as a commander-dictator. He wants to shield Romulus!

To finally put an end to the question of the future of the state, Camillus decided to convene the Senate. Here rose old Lucius Lucretius. He usually always spoke first, and everyone listened to his voice. Suddenly, a clatter was heard outside the door: it was a detachment of the day guard. In the silence, the voice of the centurion sounded clearly:

It's the best place to stay for a holiday!

Yes, Romans, rest should be here, where the city of our fathers and grandfathers, where the tombs of our heroes, the graves of our ancestors!

All unanimously came to the same opinion. And so the work began. During the year, almost the entire city was rebuilt, but not according to a specific plan. Citizens were built as they wanted, and in Rome there were many narrow, crooked streets and dead ends.

The restoration work had not yet ended, when the news came of the invasion of the neighboring tribes of the Equi, Volscians and Latins into the possessions of the Romans, who besieged the city of Sutrium, friendly to Rome. Soon it became known that the enemy surrounded the Roman army at the Medicean mountain. And then again Rome turned to Camillus, electing him dictator.

He hardly managed to recruit soldiers, since most of the people capable of bearing arms left the city. I had to arm even those who came out of military age.

Camillus moved around the Mount Medicea behind enemy lines. The enemy, noticing the fires of the Roman army, was afraid that he would find himself between two fires, and pulled all his forces into the camp, which he hastily fortified. The enemy decided to defend himself.

Camillus realized that he had to hurry, until help approached the enemy. Looking at the enemy camp, he saw that all the fortifications in it were wooden. Camillus also knew that a strong wind blows from the mountains every morning in the direction of the enemy camp.

The Roman dictator ordered a large number of incendiary arrows to be prepared. Then he divided his forces into two parts, ordering one to throw spears at the enemy, shoot with bows and shout as loudly as possible, attracting the attention of the enemy. Camillus himself, with another part of the army, took up a position with his back to the mountains. It's dawn. Camillus and his warriors stood motionless. But then the sun rose and from the mountains, as usual in the morning, a sharp, strong wind blew. The commander of the Romans gave a sign - and thousands of incendiary arrows fell into the camp. They dug into the tree, setting it on fire. The wind fanned the flames. The camp fence was on fire, followed by other wooden buildings. People huddled together and died in the fire. Those who jumped out of the fire fell under the blows of the spears and swords of the Romans. After this victory, Camillus moved to the rescue of Sutria, besieged by the Etruscans. Along the way, the Romans met a crowd of exhausted and tired people in torn clothes. These were the citizens of the Sutriyas. They could not stand the siege and surrendered the city. Enemies drove them out of the gate in one dress, saving their lives. Camillus and the Roman soldiers were touched by the miserable appearance of the Sutrians.

We must hurry, - said Camillus, - and immediately go to Sutry. Those who captured a newly rich city and expelled its inhabitants do not fear enemies either from within or from without. They are busy mining, feasting and forgot about caution.

Camille was right. When the Romans approached the city, they did not meet the guards, as the Etruscans, tired of robbery and drunkenness, were sleeping. When the Etruscans noticed the enemy, it was already too late. This feat of Camillus brought him new fame. He subsequently commanded the Roman troops more than once and beat the enemy. The last time he had to leave the house and go to the battlefield already a very old man: Camille was in his eighties. A rumor reached Rome: the Gauls are coming! All residents and the Senate unanimously demanded that, as once, the "second founder of the city" again become a dictator. Camillus, despite his old age, did not refuse to serve the fatherland in a moment of formidable danger. Huge combat experience helped Camille the commander to develop a special tactic to deal with the old enemy. The Gauls fought with long swords, with which they tried to hit the enemy in the head or shoulder. Knowing this, Camillus ordered that iron helmets be forged for his heavy infantry with a smooth, polished surface so that the poorly tempered swords of the enemy would slip off without causing harm, or break. He ordered the shields to be upholstered with copper. Warriors were taught not to throw spears, but, turning them into lances, substitute them as a defense against enemy swords. When it became known that the Gauls were approaching, Camillus went to meet them. Soon the Romans saw the enemy camp. Mark Furius Camillus stationed his forces on a hill that covered the forest, not far from the river Aniene. This allowed, for the time being, to cover most of the Roman soldiers. Those who were visible to the enemy, the dictator ordered to strengthen and stand still, not preventing the Gauls from leaving the camp and plundering the surroundings.

Let the enemies think that the Romans are few and that they are afraid to fight with a numerous enemy, he said.

So the Romans did. The Gauls rampaged near the Roman camp, mocked the soldiers and called them cowards. The Romans did not answer. The enemy felt safe and stopped paying attention to his opponent.

When Camillus was convinced that the Gauls do not think about danger, but drink wine, share the booty, he raised his army at night - both those who stood in the camp and those hidden in the forest.

Lightly armed infantry marched ahead. She was the first to fight. The Gauls pushed her back. But behind it stood the Roman heavily armed infantry. The enemy soldiers, confident of success, shouting and brandishing their swords, rushed forward to grapple hand to hand. The spears of the Romans beat back the blows of the swords and pierced the leather shields of the enemies. The swords of the Gauls slid over the polished armor of the Roman soldiers and broke. Soon the Gauls were virtually unarmed. Then the Roman infantry struck. The Gauls fled, but few of them managed to escape. The whole camp and a lot of booty went to the winners.

This event took place twenty-three years after the capture of Rome by the Gauls. But the battle of Anien was the last for Camillus. Soon an epidemic broke out in Rome, from which thousands of people died. Camillus became infected and died.