|
The Roman-Aequian wars were a series of wars during the early expansion of ancient Rome in central Italy against their eastern neighbours, the Aequi. Livy mentions that the last king of Rome, Tarquinius Superbus, made peace with the Aequi.〔Livy, ''Ab urbe condita'', 1:55〕 They fought several battles against the Romans, among which was the battle of Mons Algidus (458 BC). Their chief center is said to have been taken by the Romans about 484 BC〔D.S. xi.140〕 and again about ninety years later.〔D.S. xiv.106〕 Records of fighting between Romans and Aequi become much sparser in the second half of the 5th century BC. Likely the Aequi had gradually become a more settled people and their raiding petered out as a result. The Aequi were not finally subdued until the end of the second Samnite war,〔Livy, ix. 45, fx. i; Diod. xx. 101〕 when they seem to have received a limited form of franchise.〔Cicero, Off. i. n, 35〕 ==Aequi incursions in 494 BC== During the period of popular discontent in Rome which led to the First secessio plebis in 494 BC, each of the Volsci, Sabines and the Aequi took up arms at the same time. To meet the threat, a Roman dictator was appointed, Manius Valerius Maximus. Ten legions were raised, a greater number than had been raised previously at any one time, three of which were assigned to the consul Veturius to deal with the Aequi. The Aequi had invaded Latium, and Veturius marched there to meet the enemy at the request of the Latin allies of Rome, rather than allowing the Latins to arm themselves. Upon the arrival of the Roman army, the Aequians retreated from Latium to the safety of the mountains to the east.〔Livy, ''Ab urbe condita'', 2:30〕 Shortly afterwards, the Romans advanced into the mountains towards the Aequian camp. The Roman consul would have preferred to delay any attack, because the Aequian army's camp was situated on a position which was difficult to approach. However the Roman troops demanded that there be no delay, because of their anxiety to return to Rome as soon as possible because of the political events that had been fomenting there. Therefore the Roman army advanced up the hill towards the Aequian camp. The Aequi, however, were so stunned at the Romans' boldness that they abandoned their camp and fled. The Roman army captured the Aequian camp, and took from it an abundance of booty, thereby securing a bloodless victory.〔Livy, ''Ab urbe condita'', 2:31〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Roman-Aequian wars」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|