Roman Conquest of Italy (505-264 BC), Roman Expansion: Etruscans, Latins, Hernici

Etruscans (389-343 BC)

In 389 BC the Etruscans attacked Sutrium and Nepete. The Romans regained control and granted citizenship to the ‘faithful’ Veientes, Capenati and Falisci in 388 BC. The war continued in 387 BC under the leadership of Tarquinii with the fighting again centred on Sutrium and Nepete. The Romans came off best. Four new tribes, Arnensis, Sabatina, Stellatina and Tromentina were created in the conquered territory, and Latin colonies were settled at Sutrium and Nepete in 383 BC. 

In 358 BC the Tarquinians defeated the consul Gaius ⁰⁴Fabius Ambustus and sacrificed three hundred and seven Roman prisoners. In 356 BC the consul ⁰³Fabius Ambustus (fl.360-325 BC) scattered the Etruscans and captured their camp. The whole of Etruria rose under the leadership of Tarquinii and Falisci and marched to the salt flats at the mouth of the Tiber. 

The Romans chose a dictator Gaius ⁰²Marcius Rutilus (fl.357-342 BC), who transported his troops across the Tiber on rafts and took eight thousand prisoners, the rest were either killed or chased out of Roman territory. The prisoners were all put to the sword except three hundred and fifty-eight nobles who were sent to Rome to be scourged and beheaded as retribution for the Romans immolated by the Tarquinians in 358 BC.

In 353 BC the consul Gaius ⁰¹Sulpicius Peticus (fl.380-351 BC), who was ravaging Tarquinian territory, reported that Caeretans had taken part in a raid on the saltworks. The Romans nominated a dictator ⁰³Manlius Torquatus (fl.363-340 BC) and declared war upon Caere. The Caeretans regretted their actions and in view of their old friendship the Romans granted Caeretans a hundred years’ truce.

In 351 BC (the last year of the war) the consul ⁰⁵Quinctius Pennus (fl.361-351 BC) campaigned against Falerii, while his colleague ⁰¹Sulpicius Peticus (fl.380-351 BC) campaigned against Tarquinii, but the Falisci and Tarquinians were weary of war and asked for peace. The Romans granted each city a forty years’ truce. Eight years later (343 BC) Falerii exchanged the truce for a permanent alliance with Rome.

Latins and Hernici (386-358 BC)

After defeats (386, 385 and 377 BC) while in alliance with the Volsci, the Latins and Hernici had remained quiet. In 362 BC the Hernici ambushed and killed the consul Lucius ⁰²Genucius Aventinensis and routed his army. The following year the consuls captured the Hernician town of Ferentinum. In 360 BC consul Marcus ⁰³Fabius Ambustus defeated the Hernici in a major battle. Two years later the consul ⁰¹Plautius Proculus defeated the Hernici and reduced them to submission

In 361 BC a horde of Senonian Gauls entering Latium had been welcomed by Tibur and in 259 BC by Praeneste. But the Latins in general realised that their visitors were dangerous and revived their treaty with Rome (358 BC), but on terms less favourable than those given after the first Gallic invasion.

The Latins were forced to accept the Roman occupation of the ager Pomptinus (=Pontine Marshes), and the Hernici had to cede part of their territory in the Trerus Valley for occupation by Roman settlers. The annexations were carried out in 358 BC and the regions were formed into two new tribes, the Pomptina and the Poblilia respectively.