The Romans were tribal people who lived in central Italy and like other Latins; they tilled small plots of land pastured cows, pigs and goats and tended flocks of sheep. Moreover, they had a council of elders who chose the Chiefs of the tribes. Around 600 B.C the Etruscans a much more advanced people from the north conquered Rome. Consequently, from that time on, Rome was ruled by kings. The Romans learned many crafts from the Etruscans such as the use of bronze. They borrowed the Etruscan twelve-month calendar, the use of first and last names and deve

In 390 B.C, several tribes of Celts that the Romans called Gauls attacked Rome. They defeated the Romans and ransacked the city but they could not defeat the soldiers fortified in the citadel. They finally gave up and left the Rome. The city was in ruins and many people wanted to leave and go to a nearby city. In the end however, the Romans decided to stay. They rebuilt the city and its walls. This defeat was very significant in Roman history because it made them adopt new and more effective military weaponry. They stopped using the spear in favor of a two-foot long sword, adopting helmets, breastplates and a shield with iron edges. They reorganized their army, putting in the front rank of their battle line not the wealthy soldiers as before but the youngest and strongest. The Romans then successfully defended themselves against attacks by Etruscans, Volscians, and Aequians.

Hannibal became commander of the Carthaginian army in 221. When he was a child, he had promised to hate all Romans. In 219, Hannibal captured Saguntum, an ally of Rome. War with Rome was inevitable and 218 saw the beginning of The Second Punic War. The was lasted until 201 was waged during the whole year instead of just during the summer as had been previously done by the Romans. Just like Pyrrhus had done before him, Hannibal won battle after battle against the Romans. Twice, at Lake Trasimanus and at the Cannae he destroyed the whole Roman army and was close to attacking Rome itself. Fortune would turn in Rome’s favor however, because the Carthaginian oligarchs were reluctant to send Hannibal reinforcements and he was running out of forces. Moreover, the Fabian tactics, adopted by Fabius Cunctator, of remaining on the defensive against Hannibal and refusing battle, had now been mastered by the Romans and gave the enemy li

Some topics in this essay:
Celts Romans, Hannibal Italy, Hopelessly Carthaginians, Spain Sicily, Latin League, Italy Latins, Consequently Rome, Rome Instead, Romulus Remus, Vestal Virgin, romulus remus, vestal virgin, treaty held, punic war, romans learned, remus killed, war rome,