by Fran Moriarty

Created on: July 24, 2009   Last Updated: July 26, 2009

Hundreds of battles and thousands of minor skirmishes fill Rome's history. Rome battled its way from small city-state in 753 BC to world empire in 21 BC. Certain great battles stand out as critical to the "Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire."

<>Battle of the Allia: first encounter between Rome and the Gauls<>

During diplomatic discussions, a Gallic negotiator was killed. The Gauls blamed Rome and attacked the Roman legions. Under the Gaul's superior weaponry and military tactics, the Roman army fled back to Rome with the Gauls in pursuit. The Gauls stormed into the city of Rome. Under the command of Camillus the Roman army was able to entice the Gauls out of the city. Once out of the city, the Roman counterattack defeated the Gauls. It would be the last time that Rome would be breached until 410 AD.

The importance of this battle was in the military knowledge gained. The Roman army adopted heavier swords and full body shields. These military advances proved effective in developing the invincible Roman Army. New and more effective battle tactics, such as the "tortoise" defense, provided the advantage on the battlefield and during the siege. The Roman army would grow to be feared.

<>Battle of Cannae: during the second Punic War (216 BC)<>

Hannibal had surprised the Roman army by escaping from Spain, marching across Europe and crossing the Alps into Italy. The Carthaginians attacked Roman strongholds in Northern Italy. His victories rallied the Gauls to join the march to Rome. Hannibal strategized that the defeat of Rome would come if the southern Roman allies would join forces with him. Terentius Varro led a superior force of Romans to confront Hannibal. The "pincers" tactic of the smaller Carthaginian force crushed the Roman army and forced them to retreat. Hannibal had suffered significant loss of manpower and supplies. In 211 BC, Hannibal marched his Army to the gates of Rome but did not enter the city.

As a result of this loss, Publius Cornelius Scipio was given command of the Army. He lead his legions to Spain and attacked Hannibal's supply line. Spain was added to the Roman Republic. Scipio then moved his army to North Africa and attacked Carthage forcing Hannibal to withdraw from Italy.

<>The battle of Zama: during the second Punic War (202 BC)<>

Hannibal's Army slipped back to Carthage with his entire army of 46,000 men, 4000 cavalry and 80 elephants. The Carthaginians saw Hannibal as a liberator and rose up

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