3 – Battle of Veii (396 BC)
This was the decisive battle in the Third Veientine War (405-396 BC) between Rome and its closest rival, the Etruscan city of Veii. It was a crucial conflict because, after a decade-long war, Rome conquered Veii and became Central Italy’s most powerful state. Rome also had wars with the Volscians and Aequi at that time but had no issue with starting another fight with its long-time enemy. The Roman People voted for war with Veii in 405 BC. When the Romans captured the Volscian town of Anxur, the Senate announced that soldiers would receive money from the public purse for the very first time. Before that point, soldiers had to pay for the privilege of serving in the army.
The city of Veii was apparently under siege since 405 BC although Livy doesn’t write about a blockade or anything of that nature. After almost a decade of fighting, the war finally came to an end with the Battle of Veii in 396 BC. Two of the consular tribunes for the year, Genucius, and Titinius suffered a heavy defeat against the Capenates and Faliscans. Genucius was killed, and Titinius barely escaped. When the Roman camp heard rumors of an enemy army approaching, a significant number of soldiers wanted to return home. The army’s leaders apparently managed to convince them to stay with a great deal of difficulty. One wonders how history would have changed had they fled.
Furius Camillus was appointed as dictator (at that time it meant someone who was given power in the event of an emergency). He raised a large army with Latin, and Hernican soldiers included. Camillus’ army defeated the Faliscans and Capenates and marched to Veii. According to Livy, Camillus ordered the creation of a tunnel to dig beneath the walls of the enemy. The Romans apparently managed to dig the tunnel and emerged in the Temple of Juno.
The defenders of the city were shocked at the ingenuity of the enemy, and while they tried to fight them off, the Romans were too strong. Camillus supposedly spared the lives of unarmed citizens. He asked the Senate for advice on sharing the loot; it decreed that the soldiers should receive the money. Victory over Veii increased Roman strength and doubled the amount of land it held. The survivors of Veii were sold into slavery although the rural population was probably spared this fate. Rome did not get to enjoy the victory for very long because disaster was on the horizon.