FOILED BY A GAGGLE OF FEATHERED FRIENDS
In mid-July 390 BC (the traditional date, more likely to have been 387), the Gallic invasion of Italy by the Senones led by Brennus had defeated the Romans easily at the Battle of Allia (Livy 5.37.7–38.10, Diodorus 14.114.1–7). The de-feated Romans fled to Veii, and only a few went back to Rome, where there was consternation. Many fled to neighbouring cities and only a few barricaded themselves on
