Episode Details

396 BCE is finally here! Rome and Veii have been locked in a competition for space and resources for quite some time and it seems like the tide is about to turn. The year 396 BCE is perhaps one of the most significant years for Rome’s history in the early republic. Given the events at play, this episode is considering how the year begins and it might not be quite the thrills you might expect…

Episode 158 – The Fall of Veii – Part I

What’s going on with Rome’s magistrates?

The situation with Roman magistrates in 396 BCE is quite complicated. We spend some time considering some of the challenges we face with the evidence. There seems to have been some problems with the military tribunes which leads to a changing of the guard. There also seems to be great fondness for the plebeian military tribune with consular power, Publius Licinius Calvus Esquilinus, but is he really fit for public duties? We consider the details.

The challenges of our sources

While Livy is providing plenty of narrative material for 396 BCE, every other ancient source seems only interested in some of the big ticket events and not the finer details of family politics in Rome. How can we reconcile these different accounts? We’ll try our best!

Success is not assured…

Rome gets off to a bad start in 396 BCE with a botched Roman ambush led by Genucius and Titinius. After waiting so long with the siege business, it seems a couple of the military tribunes with consular power decide that a little bit of action might be preferable. But things do not go according to plan… it’s only a matter of time for panic to set in among the citizens.

Things to listen out for

• The gradual Etrurian retreat from Campania in favour of the north
• Some of the significant moments between Veii and Rome over the years including the challenges of the Fabian gens at Cremera (see Episode 82 – Fabian Demise), and the death of the king of Veii Lars Tolumnius (see Episode 129 – Lars Tolumnius and the Fate of Fidenae)
• The emphasis in the annalist tradition on the TEN years of conflict between Rome and Veii and the questions that might be asked about this
• The apparent lack of broader support for Veii from Etruscan city-states further north
• Rome’s fondness for building up their enemies in their histories and other written evidence
• Chronological issues with the source material? Shock! Horror!
• Does Livy have a penchant for family histories? Licinius Macer is worth a mention
• Periander as Greek inspiration for Calvus?
• Homeric parallels!
• Igor taking a short break

Our Players for 396 BCE

Military Tribunes with Consular Power

• Lucius Titinius L. f. M’. n. Pansa Saccus
• Publius Licinius P. f. P. n. Calvus Esquilinus (Mr Original Plebeian in the role according to Livy)
• Publius Maelius Sp. f. C. n. Capitolinus
• Quintus Manlius A. f. Cn. n. Vulso Capitolinus? (Pat)
• Gnaeus Genucius M. f. M. n. Augurinus
• Lucius Atilius L. f. L. n. Priscus

Dictator

• Marcus Furius L. f. Sp. n. Camillus (Pat)

Master of the Horse

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