Roman–Gallic wars: the story on HearLore

Roman–Gallic wars

In the year 390 BC, a Gallic army led by Brennus marched on the city of Rome. The Senones tribe had entered Italy from the north and plundered territory in Etruria and Latium. Roman forces attempted to stop them at the Battle of the Allia but were defeated. Brennus then led his men into Rome without further opposition. They plundered the city and departed laden with booty. Some traditions claim the Gauls were later defeated by a Caeretan army or by Camillus. This event marked the first major conflict between Romans and Gauls who settled south of the Alps.

Conquest of Cisalpine Gaul

Following the Punic Wars, Rome found itself in near-total control of Italy including Cisalpine Gaul. A concerted policy aimed at conquering Gallic territories south of the Alps emerged during the second century BC. Rome invaded the territory of the Insubres in 223 BC and took Clastidium, Acerrae and Mediolanum in 222 BC. During the Second Punic War from 218 to 201 BC, many Gauls sided with Carthage against Rome. After the war ended, Rome took Bononia in 196 BC, Placentia in 194 BC, and Mutina in 193 BC. Many surviving Boii retreated north across the Alps to what became known as Boihaemum.

Crossing the Alps

Between 125 and 121 BC, Roman armies crossed the Alps to fight tribes like the Salluvii and Vocontii. They then engaged the Allobroges and Arveni in battle. The Gauls were decisively defeated at the Battle of Vindalium and the Battle of the Isère River in 121 BC. This victory allowed Rome to annex the Allobrogian territory into a new province called Gallia Transalpina. Later this region became known as Gallia Narbonensis. The crossing marked a shift from defending Italian borders to expanding beyond them.

The Cimbrian Crisis

During the Cimbrian War, Germanic and Gallic allies inflicted devastating defeats on Roman armies. In 109 BC, the Cimbri defeated consul Marcus Junius Silanus. By 107 BC, the Cimbri and Ambrones together with their Helvetii allies defeated a Roman army near Agendicum. Consul Lucius Cassius Longinus was killed during the Battle of Burdigala. These losses exposed vulnerabilities in Roman military power against northern invaders. The crisis forced Rome to reorganize its legions and rethink strategies for dealing with mobile tribal forces.

Common questions

When did the Gallic army led by Brennus march on Rome?

The Gallic army led by Brennus marched on Rome in the year 390 BC. The Senones tribe had entered Italy from the north and plundered territory in Etruria and Latium before Roman forces were defeated at the Battle of the Allia.

Which Roman territories did Rome invade during the second century BC to conquer Gallic lands south of the Alps?

Rome invaded the territory of the Insubres in 223 BC and took Clastidium, Acerrae and Mediolanum in 222 BC. After the Second Punic War ended, Rome took Bononia in 196 BC, Placentia in 194 BC, and Mutina in 193 BC.

What province did Rome create after defeating the Allobroges and Arveni in 121 BC?

This victory allowed Rome to annex the Allobrogian territory into a new province called Gallia Transalpina. Later this region became known as Gallia Narbonensis and marked a shift from defending Italian borders to expanding beyond them.

Who defeated consul Marcus Junius Silanus during the Cimbrian War in 109 BC?

The Cimbri defeated consul Marcus Junius Silanus in 109 BC. By 107 BC, the Cimbri and Ambrones together with their Helvetii allies defeated a Roman army near Agendicum and killed Consul Lucius Cassius Longinus during the Battle of Burdigala.

When did Julius Caesar lead his campaigns through Gaul that resulted in subjugation between the Atlantic Ocean and the Rhine River?

Julius Caesar led a series of campaigns through Gaul from 58 to 50 BC that he chronicled in detail. His actions resulted in the near-complete subjugation of the country between the Atlantic Ocean and the Rhine River and brought most of western Europe under direct Roman control.

Which Roman commanders secured authority over Aquitania between 40 and 27 BC?

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa marched against the Aquitani between 40 and 37 BC and successfully defeated them. Later, from 28 to 27 BC, Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus suppressed another revolt in Aquitania and celebrated a triumph in Rome for this achievement.