The Military Conquest of the 4th

Century

Throughout the Roman history, they have proven, time and time again,

how their military was the best of their time. The Romans military conquest

is one of their greatest achievements. Of course, they are known for more

than just there military prowess. In fact, the Romans have touched in many

other fields, like politics and philosophy. But, none of their successes shined

as brightly as their military accomplishments. And the best example of this

fact is during the early 4th century, which stretched from 396 B.C. to 305. The

4th century, for the Romans, was a prime example of their army’s strength.

And, the first battle they faced proved it.

During this time, the Romans were ruled by the Dictator Marcus Furius

Camillus, who wasn’t technically a dictator. During this time of the Roman

Republic, he was more of an emergency general than a tyrant. The name of

this battle was “The Battle of Veii”, or otherwise known as “The Siege of

Veii”, which had been dated to have begun from between 405 to 390 B.C.

Their opponent was The Etruscan city of Veii, which was a large city close to

Rome. They had engaged the Romans in a long and inconclusive war, and

during which time they were often under siege. The Romans, displaying their

brilliant military tactics, found that the only way to end the siege and take
the city would be to dig a tunnel under it and have their men waiting outside

the city as well as under it. The recollection of the battle, or siege, was

illustrated to us by Titus Livius, or better known in the English translation as

Livy, in his “Ab Urbe Condita Libri” (From the Founding of the City) and

translated to us by Rev. Conan Roberts.

Livy describes to us that, after Camillus gave a short prayer, he

ordered the attack, catching the enemy completely off guard. Livy states

“The Veientines wondered what had happened to make the Romans, after

never stirring from their lines for so many days, now run recklessly up to the

walls as though struck with sudden frenzy”. On one side, the roman army is

storming the gate of the city and on the other side the second team springs

from the tunnel, which lead to the center of the temple of the city. It did not

take long for Veii to fall after that. Then in a display of kindness, once the

fighting simmered down, Camillus announced that he would let those who

were unarmed and had already surrendered live.

This was not the only testament to the Roman army’s glory. Years after

the their defeat at “The Battle of Allia River”, The Romans, who by this time

were being led by Marcus Valerius Corvus, had fought and won against the

Samnites in“The Battle of Mt. Gaurus”, which was placed at the base of Mt.

Gaurus. It is said that an ally of the Romans, the Carthage, sent the Romans

a golden crown for their Temple of Jupiter in congratulations of there

victory .This victory would be the beginning of a short war between the
Romans and the Samnites called “The First Samnite War”. The Fist Samnite

War was a relatively short war that lasted only 2 years, and ended with The

Romans as the victor at “The Battle of Sussela”.

That victory acted as another example of the strength and valor of the

4th century B.C. Roman army. But this victory could only be celebrated

shortly because the Latin allies of the Romans began to revolt against Rome,

leading them into “Battle of Vesuvius” in 339 B.C which was fought close to

“Mt. Vesuvius”. The Romans won that battle under the leadership of “Pulibus

Decius Mus” and “Titus Manlius Torquatus”. But that was not the end of the

fighting between the Romans and the Latin’s. A year later they were at it yet

again in “the battle of Trifanum”. The Romans, led by “Manlius Imperiosus”,

took a decisive victory over the Latin’s, finally crushing the Latin rebellion,

causing the light of the Roman army to shine brighter.

From this time, the Romans did not see battle again until the beginning

of “The Second Samnite War” which was much longer in comparison to the

First Samnite War. This war between the Romans and the Samnites lasted

from 326 to 304 BC, and, during this time period, only 4 battles were fought.

And, out of those battles, the Romans won two of them. Though, technically,

the first battle that they fought was not a battle see how there were no

casualties, or any physical fighting at all. Everything in this battle was solved

politically. The fact that it was called a battle was just a historical formality.
 The story behind that battle was, in 321 BC, The Romans were trapped

in a place without food or water by the samnites. The only safe, and logical,

decision for them would be to surrender. The two magistrates from both

lands came to negotiate the situations, both trying to come to the best of

terms for both sides without disrespecting the rules of war. In the end of this

conflict, the Samnites found that the best option they had would be to

release the Romans. This “battle” was called “The Battle of the Caudine

Forks. So, technically, there was only three battles fought in the Second

Samnite war, and the Romans won two of them. Then,in 305 BC, with the

victory in “The Battle of Bovianum”, led by Tiberius “Minucius Augurinus”

and “Lucius Postumius Megellus”, The romans took a decisive victory over

the Samnites, ending the Second Samnite War and the 4th century BC

conquest the romans. Throughout this time, the Romans have displayed their

might, and won many times. The only thing that would make this even better

is if it were possible to go back and watch them in battle. Now that would be

a sight to see.
TIMELINE:
Time line made by David Gallowa

References:
• The History of Rome
• Livy’s “Ab Urbe Condita Libri” (From the Founding of the City)
• Www.Historyworld.net
David Galloway II and Alan Garcia