Battle of the Allia (390 BC)

The Battle of the Allia took place on July 18 390 BC, between 40,000 Romans under Quintus Sulpicius, and the Gauls, who were about equal in number, under Brennus. The Romans took post on the Allia to check the advance of the Gauls on Rome. Here they were attacked by Brennus, who routed the right wing, where the younger soldiers were posted, then broke the Roman centre and left, putting them to flight with enormous losses, and going on to sack Rome itself.

Allia (modern Fosso Bettina) is a small tributary of the river Tiber, joining it on the left (east) bank, about 11 miles north of Rome.

See also:

• First invasion of the Gauls

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.