Battle of Pedum (358 BC)
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| Battle of Pedum | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Roman-Gaulish Wars | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Roman Republic | Gauls | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Gaius Sulpicius Peticus Marcus Valerius Poplicola | Unknown | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 2 consular armies; about 40,000[1] | Unknown | ||||||
The Battle of Pedum was fought in 358 BC, near Pedum between the Roman Republic and a group of Gauls who had entered Latium. The Romans, led by dictator Gaius Sulpicius Peticus and his magister equitum, Marcus Valerius Poplicola, defeated the Gauls at their encampment near Pedum after a prolonged standoff.[2][3]
News of Gallic tribes in Latium had been common towards the end of 359 BC. Upon hearing news of a force of Gauls entering Latium and encamping near Pedum, the Romans resolved to appoint Gaius Sulpicius Peticus as dictator, who, along with his magister equitum, Marcus Valerius Poplicola, quickly set off for Pedum in anticipation of an easy victory.[1]
Upon reaching Pedum, Peticus, to the displeasure of his men, ordered that no soldier be permitted to attack without his command. Peticus's men soon began publicly voicing their distaste for the dictator's orders. The opposition culminated when Sextus Tullius, one of Peticus's senior centurions, delivered a speech to his men, denouncing Peticus's choice and effectively convincing Peticius to engage with the Gauls.[4][5]
