The Partial Recap – 390s BCE

The 390s were an action-packed decade. Join us for a partial recap of what the ancients sources told us was really going on in Ancient Rome.

Sound Credits

Our music is by Bettina Joy de Guzman.

Transcript

Dr Rad – Welcome to the Partial Recap for the 390s BCE!

Dr G – I’m Dr G 

Dr Rad: and I’m Dr Rad

Dr G: and this is our highlights edition of the 390s in Rome. We’ll take you through from 399 to 390 in an epitome of our normal episodes. 

Dr Rad: Perfect for those mornings when you don’t want some lengthy rhetoric with your coffee – but please be warned – the Roman world is a violent one.  

Dr G: Get ready for a recappuccino. 

399 BCE

• In  399 BCE, the military tribunes with consular power were Cnaeus Genucius Augurinus, Lucius Atilius Priscus, Marcus Pomponius Rufus, Caius Duillius Longus, Marcus Veturius Crassus Cicurinus, and Voler Publilius Philo. 
• After finally electing ONE plebeian as military tribune with consular power in 400 BCE, the Romans decided to go all in and elect an almost entirely plebeian line-up. Hey Marcus Veturius, IS one the loneliest number? 
• You would hope the plebeians could revel in their power, but Rome was hit by an incredibly hot summer, right on the heels of the frigid winter of the year before. 
• The Senate was concerned enough to turn off their fans, put down their iced teas and consult the Sibylline Books. 
• The duumvirs in charge of the books decided that they needed to hold a lectisternim for the gods. In other words, time to partay! 
• The images of the gods were placed on fancy couches and presented with fancy food. Nothing says fun like watching delicious food sit in front of some images. 
• Everyone in the city joined in the celebrations and Rome became one large frat house. 
• Meanwhile, the Romans kept trying to take out their old enemy, the Etruscan city of Veii. 
• Their siege of the city showed no signs of success, especially as they were attacked by the allies of Veii – the Capenates and Faliscans. 
• Learning from their previous disasters, the Romans responded quickly to this double whammy. Let the attackers become the attacked!
• Back in Rome, it was time for elections for 398. The patricians had found the last year to be incredibly tough. So many plebs in power – GROSS. Clearly the gods agreed with them. Freezing winters and putrid summers were their way of saying that the plebs should ever hold power. 
• They had to put their best foot forward and get themselves back where they belonged – at the tippetity top! 
• With the most dazzling patrician candidates flashing before their eyes, and the gods frowning down from their passing clouds, the plebs had no choice but to vote them into office. 

398 BCE

• In 398 BCE, the military tribunes with consular power were Lucius Valerius Potitus, Marcus Valerius Lactucinus Maximus, Marcus Furius Camillus, Lucius Furius Medullinus, Quintus Servilius Fidenas, and Quintus Sulpicius Camerinus.  
• The Romans enjoyed success against the allies of Veii, the Falerii and the Capenates – thanks to Potitus and Camillus. 
• Unfortunately, there was no further progress made in the siege at Veii. 
• Portents began to appear, but the Romans found it hard to understand their meaning – where were all the Etruscan soothsayers??? Oh right… in Veii. 
• The Romans could tolerate a few odd signs here and there, but when the water rose to abnormally high levels in the lake in the Alban Woods, they decided this was TOO MUCH (Ha!)
• In a panic, the Romans dispatched some ambassadors to see the Delphic Oracle. 
• Before they heard what the Oracle had to say, a man from Veii chimed in. Uhhh guys, it clearly meant the Romans would have to reduce the level of the river if they wanted to defeat Veii. 
• The Romans were a bit suspicious, so they decided to kidnap and torture the man. There’s just no better way to make sure someone is telling the truth. 
• But the man from Veii stuck to his story – apparently the gods would watch over Veii until the Romans managed to draw the water off the lake. 
• Pass me the shovel, Dr Rad! Looks like we have some digging to do. 

397 BCE 

• In 397 BCE, the military tribunes with consular power were Lucius Julius Iullus, Lucius Furius Medullinus, Lucius Sergius Fidenas, Aulus Postumius Albinus Regillensis, Publius Cornelius Maluginensis, and Aulus Manlius Vulso Capitolinus.  
• The Tarquinii decided that since the Romans had a full dance card with their wars against the Volsci, the Aequians, the Capenates, Faliscans and the Veientes, they may as well do some sneaky raiding. 
• The Romans were STUNNED by the bad manners of the Tarquinii. I mean, it’s just not the done thing, old chap!
• The military tribunes, Postumius and Julius, set off to teach the Tarquinii a lesson in etiquette. Wanting to avoid provoking the tribunes of the plebs, they didn’t call a levy and used a volunteer force to provide an unwelcome surprise for the enemy as they were on their way home with the stolen goods. 
• Everyone in Roman territory could breathe a sigh of relief – their possessions were returned safely. How could they be expected to live without their scented candle collection?      
• The rest of their military expeditions were not going so well. It was stalemate city. At least the rest of the Etruscan cities were still refusing to help Veii to drive off the Roman forces. There were mysterious strangers on their doorstep and they needed to priorities themselves. Only volunteers were allowed to join their fellow Etruscans. 
• Clearly, the Romans needed to get the gods onside. 
• Just as well they had sent those legates off to the Delphic Oracle! When they returned they confirmed everything the captured soothsayer from Veii had said about the Alban Lake. Time to start draining! And someone send the Oracle a fruit basket. 
• The Romans also needed to toss out their magistrates before their used-by date. The magistrates had not been proclaimed properly during the Latin festival for Jupiter Latiaris – perhaps this was why the Romans were having problems? 
• Interreges were selected and elections were organised; however, the tribunes of the plebs arced up, demanding that the majority of the magistrates be from the plebeian class.   
• Not liking the way this was #trending, the moderate Publius Licinius Calvus was sought for office – even though he wasn’t running! Once again, Licinius Calvus managed to please both the patricians and the plebeians. Turns out all you need to put out a fire is a little vanilla sauce. 

396 BCE

• In 396 BCE, the military tribunes with consular power were Lucius Titinius Pansa Saccus, Publius Licinius Calvus Esquilinus, Publius Manlius Capitolinus, Quintus Manlius Vulso Capitolinus, Cnaeus Genucius Augurinus and Lucius Atilius Priscus – quite a few names from the year 400 but not the whole team, as Livy indicates.
• 396 did not start well for the Romans. Two of the magistrates – Titinius and Genucius – tried to take on Veii’s allies, the Faliscans and Capenates and it ended in disaster. At least Genucius died fighting bravely at the front of the army. 
• Rumours quickly sent all the Romans into a major panic. Come on gods! Show Rome a bit of love! They’ve tried really hard to please you. 
• They’ve drained water from the Alban Lake and everything!
• It was time for a dictator! Marcus Furius Camillus was chosen with Publius Cornelius Maluginensis as his trusty sidekick.
• Camillus has been around the block a few times, but this is the first year that he will come into the spotlight. Keep your eyes on this guy – he’s going to be a hero for the ages.
• A dictator was just what the Romans needed to give them a positive, can-do attitude. 
• Camillus set his sights on Veii after making some big promise to the gods, especially the ancient goddess, Mater Matuta and Pythian Apollo.  
• Feeling #blessed, Camillus started implementing his ideas – such as digging their way to victory! No really, you need to dig all the way under the citadel – but quietly. Sssshhh…
• Once the tunnel had penetrated into the heart of Veii, Camillus launched a diversionary assault, allowing his sneak attackers to burst through and undermine the enemy from within. 
• There was a heated debate over what to do with all the booty – Veii was CASHED UP. It was Publius Licinius Calvus vs Appius Claudius in a plebeian-patrician ultimate smackdown – of rhetoric.
• Licinius carried the day – meaning that the people of Rome were told that if they wanted their slice of enemy pie, they could go and fetch it. An ancient cash and carry scheme.
• But the people did not get everything! The many people who were captured were sold into slavery and those resources went to the treasury. Way to be cheap, Camillus!
• However, the people of Rome were still pretty thrilled about this victory over Veii and – Rome has more than doubled in size. I think the Romans would have been obsessed with size…. 
• With such a monumental conquest, the people were happy to see Camillus receive a triumph… until they saw the triumph in person. 
• Camillus went over the top by Roman standards – being drawn by FOUR white horses. Who does he think he is? Jupiter? 
• Camillus did not want to limit himself to the capture of the city, he wanted to take Veii’s chief deity too. He asked Juno Regina to switch her allegiances and the lady appeared willing.  
• The whole process of transferring a deity involved the ritual of evocatio – you can’t just pick them up and plonk them anywhere.    
• Juno’s cult was successfully transferred to the Aventine and Camillus also dedicated a temple to Mater Matuta – and with those tasks complete, he could finally resign as dictator.  
• The Volscians and Aequians sent some envoys in this year to ask for peace – aren’t we all getting a little tired of war? YES, yes we are – so take the peace, but don’t think for one second that the Romans actually like you. 

395 BCE

• In 395 BCE, the military tribunes with consular power were Publius Cornelius Cossus, Publius Cornelius Scipio, Kaeso Fabius Ambustus, Lucius Furius Medullinus, Quintus Servilius Fidenas, and Marcus Valerius Lactucinus.  
• There was limited time to bask in the glory on conquering Veii – Veii’s allies still needed to be subdued.
• The Cornelii were placed in charge of the war with the Faliscans and Valerius and Servilus were sent against the Capenates. 
• They adopted a scorched earth kind of strategy to the areas surrounding the cities. 
• The Capenates quickly sought peace, but the Faliscans confidently resisted. Was this going to be Veii 2.0? Another siege?  
• Back in Rome itself, the patricians and plebeians came to blows over that ongoing issue – LAND.
• The patricians wanted to establish a colony on the Volscian frontier but the plebeians were unimpressed. Why not live in Veii? Location, location, location, patricians!
• The patricians were sickened by the thought. Romulus would spin in his grave if he hadn’t possibly been chopped up into little bits by angry senators. This was all the doing of one of the tribune of the plebs – Titus Sicinius! 
• The former dictator Camillus made things worse because of the vow he had made to the gods during his campaigning at Veii. He had promised that Apollo would get his slice of any victory BUT forgot to let the people know about that until after the booty had been divvied up and the pontiffs were clear – the people needed to bring some of it back in to keep that sun god shining down upon them. 
• A bitter pill to swallow!
• However, finally, it looked like that whole unfortunate affair could be put to rest – the gold was collected (partly thanks to donations from dedicated Roman ladies) and  fashioned into a beautiful golden bowl.
• With the vow finally on its way to being resolved, the tribunes of the plebs started doing what they do best – unleashing mayhem for the patricians. The plebs had been gypped with this whole Veii deal! And Camillus was the most to blame. 
• A verbal smackdown ensued – trash talk was flying – but nothing was actually getting resolved. The populace were going to need the kind of tribunes of their side who would keep fighting the good fight. 
• The patricians knew they also needed a fierce team to resist, so get ready for another all-patrician line-up, starring Camllus himself! 

394 BCE

• In 394 BCE, the military tribunes with consular power were Marcus Furius Camillus (naturally), Lucius Furius Medullinus, Caius Aemilius Mamercinus, Lucius Valerius Poplicola, Spurius Albinus Regillensis, and Publius Cornelius – possibly also someone called Catlus Verus, but the name seems incredibly out of keeping with convention. 
• The tribunes of the plebs held themselves back until Camillus went off to deal with the Faliscans. 
• Unfortunately, the delay meant that the plebeians themselves were less keen on the whole idea. Getting a colony – ugh! –  so much effort! 
• Camillus managed to return to his full and dazzling glory – and not just because he was a military genius. He was the very model of a moral Roman general. 
• When a Faliscan teacher/traitor gave Camillus the opportunity to use the children of the leading Faliscan citizens to score an easy victory, he refused. The children were sent straight back home – with their former teacher as their prisoner to beat all the way back to the city. Don’t get any ideas, kids!
• We may have seen some virtuous Romans before, but this is something else! EVERYONE on both sides was blown away by Camillus – they would like to marry him, and then divorce him, so that they could marry him again! 
• The Faliscans promptly surrendered – if the Romans could produce someone like Camillus, then they didn’t want to resist any more. If loving Rome is wrong, then we don’t want to be right. 
• Camillus took it all in his stride of course, but there was still the matter of the vow. The bowl was made, but it was just sitting in Rome. 
• Time to get this bowl rolling! Lucius Valerius, Lucius Sergius and Aulus Manlius were sent off to deliver the gift to the Delphic Apollo. 
• They did not make it far before they were captured by Liparaean pirates and taken back to their lair. Yarrr! 
• These have to be the most respectful pirates we’ve ever seen, because once they understood the GOLDEN BOWL SITUATION™ they helped the Romans on their way. No one wants to mess around with the gods. 
• The Romans showed their gratitude by entering into a covenant of hospitality – just to say, THANK YOU for not ruining our special mission. 
• If the Faliscans and the pirates weren’t enough, the Romans also had to deal with war against the Aequians. 
• The military tribunes, Gaius Aemilius and Spurius Postumius, were placed in command. 
• At first they worked together, but eventually they decided to divide and conquer. 
• This did not play out seamlessly. 
• Due to some arrogance on Postumius’ part, the Romans had a serious setback, but in an extremely chaotic way, the Romans managed to score a victory – which was a huge surprise to the Romans back in the city. They had heard that they had all been slaughtered! What a nice surprise for everyone. 
• And so ended 394 – heretofore known as the year of crazy surprises and surprising morality.  

393 BCE

• In 393 BCE, there were consuls for the first time in around 15 years! – and that honour went to Lucius Valerius Potitus and either Publius or Servius Cornelius Maluginensis. 
• Rome also had some suffect consuls who had to come in and take over – Lucius Lucretius Tricipitinus Flavus and Servius Sulpicius Camerinus. 
• The Aequians tried to capture a Roman colony, but Lucretius quickly put them back in their place. 
• However, it was hard for him to truly enjoy his win, because back in Rome it was a Conflict of the Orders EXTRAVAGANZAAAA
• Two of the tribune of the plebs from two years before – Aulus Verginius & Quintus Pomponius – were placed on trial – probably something to do with their collusion with the Senate to block the proposed move to Veii – something that was still very much on the mind of the plebeian tribunes. 
• The patricians wanted to block the wily tribunes, hence the appointment of consuls. 
• But they could not prevent Verginius and Pomponius from being found guilty and hit with large fines. The Senate and Camillus were incensed. 
• Sure, the plebs could feel bitter about it, but how had these men done anything illegal? 
• This is actually the only case ever brought against tribunes of the plebs for their actions in office. 
• Camillus’ anger fuelled his campaigning to keep Rome for the Romans – Veii was for losers, man!
• A vote was held, and the decision for everyone to stay put in Rome squeaked in. 
• The Senate were so thrilled that they decided to give every freeborn plebeian male a whopping 7 iugera of land in Veii. 
• Seems a bit of a weird gift in the circumstances, but the plebs liked it! Perhaps there was a slight shortage of men around? 

392 BCE

• In 392 BCE, we had consuls again! Can you believe it?
• Lucius Valerius Potitus and Marcus Manlius Capitolinus were in charge for the year, but the plebs were too busy mowing their new lawns in Veii to care. 
• Many of Camillus’ promises to the gods made during the siege of Veii were fulfilled in this year.
• There was the usual squabbling with the Aequians, which meant that both of the consuls were rewarded, one with a triumph, the other with an ovation.  
• War with the Etruscans in Volsinii loomed on the horizon, but then famine and pestilence hit Rome HARD, brought on by drought and a heatwave. The Romans had to shake their fists from their sickbeds as they were so ill – they were in no condition to fight a war!
• Rudely, the folk from Volsinii and their allies, the Sappinates, decided to raid Roman fields anyway. 
• No one was spared by the disease – not even the censor or the consuls! 
• Fresh auspices and an interregnum were ordered – this was a very worrying situation
• Six military tribunes with consular power were eventually elected after the interregnum passed – and surely no plague would kill all six of Rome’s leaders. Right? Right?

391 BCE

• In 391 BCE, the military tribunes with consular power were Lucius Lucretius Tricipitinus Flavus, Servilius Camerinus, Lucius or Marcus Aemilius Mamercinus, Lucius Furius Medullinus, Agrippa Furius Fusus, and Caius Aemilius Mamercinus. 
• After that horrible bout of pestilence, the Romans were ready to teach their enemies some manners. 
• The Volsinienses and Sappinates were soon defeated, and Volsinii agreed to a 20 year truce with Rome and to pay the salaries of the Roman soldiers. Cha ching!
• It seemed like everything was going rather well for Rome, but then an unusual portent appeared with worrying news. 
• Marcus Caedicius, a plebeian, suddenly heard a booming divine voice warning him that the Gauls were on their way to Rome and he had better tell the magistrate – toot suite! 
• The magistrates chortled when the worried pleb appeared before them – oh, the lower class! So gullible. Gauls in Rome – an insane notion. 
• Little did they know that this was indeed a divine voice speaking – that of Aius Locutius. Don’t worry – he’ll eventually get an altar out of this. 
• Camillus also found himself facing charges from one of the tribunes of the plebs – Lucius Apuleius. The way Camillus had stuffed up the handling of the spoils of Veii – well, he could not let that slide. 
• Camillus may have been hoping for a flood of support, but he received more of a trickle 
• Realising that he was probably going to be convicted, Camillus decided to go into exile – but not without asking the gods to make the Romans sorry for what they had done if they judged him innocent! 
• Meanwhile, something serious was developing in northern Italy 
• For a couple of hundred years, Gallic tribes had been migrating over the Apennines and into the area, including one called the Senones. 
• This may have been the tribe that went to the city of Clusium, making everyone there panic, and for some reason, reach out to the Romans for help. 
• The Romans were similarly puzzled to receive this message, but out of the goodness of their hearts, they sent three of the Fabulous Fabian clan as envoys to chat to the Gails 
• Gee, I hope the Fabians can use some of their fabulousness to calm this situation down before something catastrophic happens.    

390 BCE

• In 390 BCE, the military tribunes with consular power were Quintus Fabius Ambustus, Kaeso Fabius Ambustus, Numerius Fabius Ambustus, Quintus Sulpicius Longus, Quintus Servilius Fidenas, and Publius Cornelius Maluginensis 
• This – or another year very close by – was a watershed year for Rome 
• At Clusium, the Fabians went from Fab to Foolish. Their aggressive behaviour quickly escalated the tension between the Gauls and the Clusinii – and when a fight broke out – they actually joined in! 
• Quintus Fabius even killed one of the Gallic leaders and despoiled his body, right there on the battlefield. 
• The Gauls were ever so slightly offended – perhaps Rome could apologise by handing over the offending envoy or some other token? 
• The Senate had sent the Fabians straight to their room with no dessert – but they could not hand over such elite men to these barbarians, and the Roman people agreed. Why not make them magistrates instead? 
• And so it was war, with the Romans being led in part by the same trio of idiots that got them into this mess
• Perhaps we are being too harsh – this may have all been an unhappy accident, with the Gauls simply deciding to ransack Rome as they passed by on their way to serve the tyrant of Syracuse as auxiliaries…  
• The Gauls, powered by rage and injustice, managed to get their army to Rome far too quickly for Rome’s liking
• The first confrontation took place at the River Alia and it was a disaster for the Roman forces 
• Roman forces were scattered in the confusion of defeat – some fled back to the city and holed up in the Citadel, others sought refuge in Veii.
• The Gauls travelled to Rome to complete their victory but found the City deserted – the people had scattered after trying to protect all the sacred objects.
• Almost deserted – a band of valiant Romans had decided to defend the Capitol to the death and the elderly patricians awaited the Gauls, boldly prepared to face death 
• A brutal siege ensued    
• Exactly what happened during the siege is disputed – did the Gauls completely trash and sack the city? Or did they just grab the valuables? Did the Romans manage to hold out against the attackers? Can you travel down the Tiber from Veii with a secret message just using cork to stay afloat? Were there geese involved? When did Camillus get recalled and made dictator? 
• There are just so many questions about the exact order of events 
• The key details seem to be that there was an attack by the Gauls, the Romans got the worst of it and they had to pay a hefty sum to get them to leave  
• Camillus is often credited with recovering the gold somehow – possibly by slaughtering the Gauls at the moment of payment – or perhaps while on a supercharged rampage shortly after they had departed 
• Of course, there are hints in the sources that Camillus had nothing to do with getting the ransom back – but who wants to hear that? 
• With the Gauls out of the way, the Romans could return to the city and think about their future
• They may have toyed with the idea of relocating to Veii but Camillus again was not having it! 
• He gave a speech that lasted for the length of entire Lord of the Rings trilogy (extended edition) and managed to convince everyone that rebuilding was the right thing for the gods and for themselves
• After ignoring so many signs from the gods, the Romans really needed to ensure that they restarted on a correct footing 
• Camillus may have started the Capitoline Games for Jupiter Optimus Maximus at this point, the god who never abandoned the Romans in their time of need 

Dr Rad: And that was the 390s in Ancient Rome… or was it? 

Dr G: Remember, this has just been the highlights from the ancient sources, so if you want to delve into the complexities of the different evidence from this period, check out our narrative episodes. Jump in at Episode 155: A Feast for the Gods  to join us for a deep dive into the 390s BCE. 

Dr Rad: Thanks for turning in to this Partial Recap!