Latin Wars

in antiquity wars fought by the Latins against Rome.

In 496 B.C. (according to classical tradition) the first Latin war began between Rome, which had been claiming hegemony in the Latin League, and the Latins. Soon after the legendary battle of Lake Regillus (496 B.C.) the Latin League was again resurrected (493 B.C.). The further strengthening of Rome after her victories of the fifth and fourth centuries B.C. over the Aequi, Volscians, and Samnites led to an intensification of the contradictions between Rome and the other allies and brought about the second Latin war (340–338 B.C.), as a result of which the league was abolished. Cities closest to Rome were incorporated into the Roman state, with their inhabitants receiving civil rights but not the right to vote in the comitiae (what was called the Latin right). The lands of these cities were divided up among the Roman colonists, and their inhabitants were made clients. As allies of Rome there remained only the cities of Tibur, Praeneste, and Laurentum.