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- The plain of Latium began to be threatened by the fierce mountain tribes in the north (Sabines, Aequi, and Volsci), who experienced overpopulation and tried to acquire more land, they
ruthlessly attacked Roman farms for years.
- Rome's external affairs during the 5th century largely revolved around its
military assistance to the Latin League to hold back these invaders.
- The regal period (753-509 BC) and the early republic (509-280 BC) are the
most poorly documented periods of Roman history because historical accounts of
Rome were not written until much later.
- The law code was inscribed upon 12 bronze tablets and publicly displayed in
the Forum. Its provisions concerned legal procedure, debt foreclosure, paternal
authority over children, property rights, inheritance, funerary regulations,
and various major and minor offenses. Although many of its provisions became
outmoded and were modified or replaced in later times, the Law of the Twelve
Tables formed the basis of all subsequent Roman private law.
- Toward the end of the 5th century, while Rome and the Latins were still defending themselves against the Volsci and the Aequi, the Romans
began to expand at the expense of Etruscan states.
- Romans living on the frontier may have strongly favoured war against
restless neighbours, such as Gauls and Samnites.
- Rome's relentless expansion was more often responsible for provoking its
neighbours to fight in self-defense.
- Roman consuls, who led the legions into battle, often advocated war because
victory gained them personal glory.
- The Romans waged war for many reasons and they often used religious means to
assist their war effort. The fetial priests were used for the solemn official
declaration of war. According to fetial law, Rome could enjoy divine favour
only if it waged just wars (wars of self-defense).
- Rome's first major war against an organized state was fought with Fidenae
(437-426 BC), a town located just upstream from Rome. After it had been
conquered, its land was annexed to Roman territory.
- Rome next fought a long and difficult war against Veii, an important
Etruscan city not far from Fidenae.
- During the wars against Fidenae and Veii, Rome increased the number of
military tribunes with consular power.
- In 406 BC Rome instituted military pay, and in 403 BC it increased the size
of its cavalry.
- The conquest of Veii opened southern Etruria to further Roman expansion.
The History of Rome - Part One 743 - 136 B.C. © Bible History Online (http://www.bible-history.com) |