Marcus Furius Camillus

Marcus Furius Camillus (445?-365 bc), Roman soldier and statesman, who worked to rebuild and protect Rome after the Gauls burned it. During the period of the Roman Republic, Camillus was made military tribune of Rome several times, made censor, and finally made dictator about 403 bc. He led the Roman army against rival cities in Etruria (now in Italy), conquering Veii (396), Capena (395), and Falerii (394). It is believed that he went into exile near Rome soon afterward because he had mishandled distribution of booty after his Etruscan campaigns. About 387, while he was in exile, the Gauls plundered and burned Rome. During the recovery of Rome, Camillus became a folk hero, and it is believed that he again served as military tribune and dictator several times, although legends have obscured the facts about his life. According to legend, he raised an army and forced the Gallic leader Brennus out of Rome. In fact, however, the Gauls retired unharmed after Rome ransomed itself with gold. Afterward, Camillus resisted efforts of the plebs (commoners) to move the capitol building to Veii and worked instead to rebuild and fortify Rome. He reorganized the Roman army and made administrative reforms. His military exploits ensured Roman supremacy in central Italy. Camillus is also credited with persuading the Roman patricians to make concessions to the plebs, thus keeping peace between the two groups.