Changes

After this stalemate had lasted for some time, the Gauls offered to leave for a sum of gold.  The Romans quickly accepted, and began to carry out their gold, and weigh out the appropriate price on a Gallic [[balance scale]].  The Romans soon discovered that the Gauls had deliberately tinkered with the scales so as to weigh the gold lighter than it actually was, to trick the Romans into paying more.  As the Romans protested, and prepared to rescind the treaty, Brennus is said to have yelled ''"Vae Victis!"'', or, "Woe to the Conquered!", upon which he threw his sword onto the scales as an ''additional'' counterweight to the Roman gold.  The Romans, their land savage and their gold extorted from them, set to rebuilding the city.  The Gauls were never to return.

After this stalemate had lasted for some time, the Gauls offered to leave for a sum of gold.  The Romans quickly accepted, and began to carry out their gold, and weigh out the appropriate price on a Gallic [[balance scale]].  The Romans soon discovered that the Gauls had deliberately tinkered with the scales so as to weigh the gold lighter than it actually was, to trick the Romans into paying more.  As the Romans protested, and prepared to rescind the treaty, Brennus is said to have yelled ''"Vae Victis!"'', or, "Woe to the Conquered!", upon which he threw his sword onto the scales as an ''additional'' counterweight to the Roman gold.  The Romans, their land savage and their gold extorted from them, set to rebuilding the city.  The Gauls were never to return.

However, the rebuilding of the city proved difficult.  Titus Livius [[Livy]] tells that the Romans almost considered abandoning the city of Rome, and moving wholesale to Alba Longa, the mythical nearby city of Aeneas, to begin their lives anew there.  However, after an impassioned speech by Camillus, the Romans instead chose to rebuild Rome, at a breakneck pace.  Livy blames this hurried reconstruction for the disorganization and haphazard layout of the Roman streets, when compared with the ordered city plans of provincial capitals and colonies.<ref>Titus Livius, ''Roman History''</ref>

However, the rebuilding of the city proved difficult.  Titus Livius [[Livy]] says that the Romans almost considered abandoning the city of Rome, and moving wholesale to Alba Longa, the mythical nearby city of Aeneas, to begin their lives anew there.  However, after an impassioned speech by Camillus, the Romans instead chose to rebuild Rome, at a breakneck pace.  Livy blames this hurried reconstruction for the disorganization and haphazard layout of the Roman streets, when compared with the ordered city plans of provincial capitals and colonies.<ref>Titus Livius, ''Roman History''</ref>

Much of this account was likely sensationalized, to glorify the early roots of Rome in correlation with the image programme of [[Augustus]], Livy's direct patron.

Much of this account was likely sensationalized, to glorify the early roots of Rome in correlation with the image program of [[Augustus]], Livy's direct patron.

== The Conquest of Italy ==

== The Conquest of Italy ==

=== The First Triumvirate ===

=== The First Triumvirate ===

The First Triumvirate was an alliance formed between Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Marcus Crassus formed in 60 BC. The purpose of the triumvirate was for the three members to gain political power through their mutual support for each other. While the triumvirate did allow for the three to gain much political power, it ultimately fell apart due to the ambitions of each member.

The First Triumvirate was an alliance between Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Marcus Crassus that was formed in 60 BC. The purpose of the triumvirate was for the three members to gain political power through their mutual support for each other. While the triumvirate did allow for the three to gain much political power, it ultimately fell apart due to the ambitions of each member.

=== The Fall of the Republic ===

=== The Fall of the Republic ===

In January of 49 BC, [[Julius Caesar]] crossed the Rubicon River in Northern Italy and proclaimed "alea iacta est" or "the die is cast." This was an act of treason against the Roman Republic, and so Caesar began his civil war against [[Pompey]].  

In January of 49 BC, [[Julius Caesar]] crossed the Rubicon River in Northern Italy and proclaimed "alea iacta est" or "the die is cast." This was an act of treason against the Roman Republic, and so Caesar began his civil war against [[Pompey]].  

Caesar went on to crush the legions of Pompey, and then used his legions to force the Senate to declare him Dictator for life. In 44 BC, in a conspiracy led by Brutus, Julius Caesar was assassinated by a number of senators. His assassination outraged up the public, and led to the conditions for the republic to replaced by an empire.

Caesar went on to crush the legions of Pompey, and then used his legions to force the Senate to declare him Dictator for life. In 44 BC, in a conspiracy led by Brutus, Julius Caesar was assassinated by a number of senators. His assassination outraged the public, and led to the conditions for the republic to be replaced by an empire.

Caesar left his wealth to his adopted son, Octavian (later renamed [[Augustus Caesar]]). Octavian allied himself with Mark Antony and Lepidus. The three of them formed the Second Triumvirate and effectively ruled Rome. The ambitions of each member tore the alliance apart, forcing Lepidus to exile and leading to Mark Antony's suicide, leaving Octavian as the sole ruler of Rome. It took several years for Octavian to set up his government, but he ultimately ended the Roman Republic by 27 BC, reforming the Roman Republic in the [[Roman Empire]].

Caesar left his wealth to his adopted son, Octavian (later renamed [[Augustus Caesar]]). Octavian allied himself with Mark Antony and Lepidus. The three of them formed the Second Triumvirate and effectively ruled Rome. The ambitions of each member tore the alliance apart, forcing Lepidus to exile and leading to Mark Antony's suicide, leaving Octavian as the sole ruler of Rome. It took several years for Octavian to set up his government, but he ultimately ended the Roman Republic by 27 BC, reforming the Roman Republic in the [[Roman Empire]].