Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/184

 124 General History of Europe or other valuable privileges to the conquered population. From the annexed districts Rome could draw an ever-increasing body of brave and hardy citizen-soldiers. It was this steady agricultural expansion of Rome which in a little over two centuries after the expulsion of the Etruscan kings made the little republic on the Tiber mistress of all Italy. 191. Capture of Rome by the Gauls (332 B.C.). The second century of Roman expansion opened with a fearful catastrophe, which very nearly accomplished the complete destruction of the nation. In the first two decades after 400 B.C. the barbarian Gauls of the North, who had been overrunning the territory of the Etruscans, finally reached the lower Tiber, defeated the Roman army, and entered the city. Unable, however, to capture the citadel on the Capitol Hill, the Gauls at length agreed to accept a ransom of gold and to return northward, where they settled in the valley of the Po. But they still remained a serious danger to the Romans. 192. Subjugation of the Latin Tribes (333 B.C.). As Rome recovered from this disaster it was evident that the city needed fortifications, and for the first time masonry walls were built around it. Alarmed at Rome's growing power, the Latin tribes now endeavored to break away from the control of the powerful walled city. In the two years' war which resulted the city was com- pletely victorious. Rome thus gained the undisputed leadership of the Latin tribes. The year 338 B.C., in which this important event took place, also witnessed the defeat of the Greek cities at the hands of Philip of Macedonia (153). In the same year, therefore, both the Greeks and the Latins saw themselves conquered and falling under the leadership of a single state the Greeks under that of Macedonia, the Latins under that of Rome. 193. Samnite Wars (325-290 B. c.) and the Battle of Senti- num (295 B.C.). Meantime another formidable foe, a group of Italic tribes called the Samnites, had been taking possession of the mountains inland from Rome. By 325 B.C. a fierce war broke out between the Romans and the Samnites. It lasted with