n prince Lars Porsena of Clusium, which
resulted in a defeat for Rome and the forced acceptance of humiliating
conditions.

This defeat naturally broke down whatever suzerainty Rome may have
exercised over Latium and necessitated a readjustment of the relations
between Rome and the Latin cities. A treaty attributed by tradition to
Spurius Cassius was finally concluded between Rome on the one hand and the
Latin league on the other, which fixed the relations of the two parties
for nearly one hundred and fifty years. By this agreement the Romans and
the Latin league formed an offensive and defensive military alliance, each
party contributing equal contingents for joint military enterprises and
dividing the spoils of war, while the Latins at Rome and the Romans in the
Latin cities enjoyed the private rights of citizenship. The small people
called the Hernici, situated to the east of Latium, were early included in
this alliance. This union was cemented largely through the common dangers
which threatened the dwellers in the Latin plain from the Etruscans on the
north and the highland Italian peoples to the east and south. For Rome it
was of importance that the Latin cities interposed a barrier between the
territory of Rome and her most aggressive foes, the Aequi and the Volsci.

*Wars with the Aequi and Volsci.* Of the details of these early wars we
know practically nothing. However, archaeological evidence seems to show
that about the beginning of the fifth century B. C. the Latins sought an
outlet for their surplus population in the Volscian land to the south
east. Here they founded the settlements of Signia, Norba and Satricum. But
this expansion came to a halt, and about the middle of the fifth century
the Volsci still held their own as far north as the vicinity of Antium,
while the Aequi were in occupation of the Latin plain as far west as
Tusculum and Mt. Algidus. Towards the end of the century, however, under
Roman leadership the Latins resumed their expansion at the expense of both
these peoples.

*Veii.* In addition to these frequent but not continuous wars, the Romans
had to sustain a serious conflict with the powerful Etruscan city of Veii,
situated about 12 miles to the north of Rome, across the Tiber. The causes
of the struggle are uncertain, but war broke out in 402, shortly after the
Romans had gained possession of Fidenae, a town which controlled a
crossing of the Tiber above the city of Rome. According to tr