The Gauls

Cue (NZERS), 1 June 1944, Page 3

The Gauls

In 387 b.c. the city nearly suffered extinction. A raiding party of Gauls already well established north of the Appenines, threatened the city. A Roman army of about 15,000 set out to face them on the river Allia. It failed to hold the first rush with its infantry spears, or pila, and the

Gauls r armed with long swords easily routed the Roman infantry whose short stabbing weapon was out-reached.

The city walls were abandoned for lack of garrison, the populace sought refuge on the Capitoline and the Gauls burnt the city. The intervention of the Sacred Geese did not prevent the city capitulating and buying'its life with gold. The loss of prestige with Etruscan ' and Oscan cities was enormous; the Roman reaction was determined. - x ..

The Servian wall of dressed stone was rebuilt, the army re-organised and rearmed with two Pila, and a screen of slingers and javelin throwers incorporated in the. formations/ The city grew again much like London after the Fire of 1666 —haphazardlyand. the orderly Etruscan street plan was lost. So rapid ,was the growth that before long it was to burst its bounds.