Vae Victis

• Vae Victis meaning ‘Woe to the Vanquished’.
  • This is a quote by Brennius (390 BCE), Livy V. 48

Brennius

• In 390 BCE, the Geese of Rome prevented the Gauls from capturing the Capitoline Hill, which led to a stalemate with neither side having an advantage.
• Brennius then agreed to withdraw his Gallic army from Rome in exchange for gold.
• During the weighing of the gold, the Romans observed the Gauls cheating by adding more weights, and objected.
• Brennius responded by throwing his own sword on the scales, thus tipping the balance in favour of the Gauls, with the famous words ‘ Woe to the Vanquished’.
• Finally, the Roman General Camillus appeared and stopped the exchange, saying Rome would rather fight than pay. During the subsequent battle the Gauls were defeated and Rome was saved.