The Gauls almost defeat Rome, but the geese saved the day!The sack of Rome (390 B.C.) was the worst

The Gauls almost defeat Rome, but the geese saved the day!The sack of Rome (390 B.C.) was the worst recorded disaster in the history of the early Roman Republic, and saw a Gallic war band led by Brennus capture and sack most of the city, after winning an easy victory on the Allia.The most famous story from the siege involved the sacred geese in the temple of Juno. After the blockade had been going on for some time the defenders decided to appoint Furius Camillus as dictator. To do this a messenger had to leave the city, and the Gauls noticed the route he took to climb down the cliffs that defended the Citadel. On the next suitable night the Gauls climbed up this route, up to the temple of Carmentis. Neither the dogs nor the guards heard them, but the geese did, and the noise they made alerted M. Manlius, a former consul, who fought off the first Gauls and gave the rest of the defenders time to come to the danger point.The speed with which the Gauls had approached the city seems to have caught the Romans by surprise. They were only able to raise a small army, which was easily defeated on the Allia. According to Livy the Gauls reached Rome at about sunset on the day of the battle, but decided not to risk entering an unfamiliar city in the dark. This gave the Romans time to prepare for a siege. The men of military age and their families took refuge in the Citadel.On the following day the Gauls made an unopposed entry into the city. Finding it empty they looted it, and then turned to the Citadel.Eventually the defenders of the Citadel ran out of food, and were forced to come to terms with the Gauls. A ransom of 1000lbs of gold was agreed. When the Romans complained about the Gaul’s scales Brennus is said to have thrown his sword onto the scales with the words ‘Woe to the vanquished’ (vae victis). After this the Gauls probably left the city safely, taking their plunder with them. -- source link

More pics about