Battle of Mons Algidus

Part of the Roman-Italic Wars

Date	c. 458 BC
Location	Algidus Mons, near Rome
Result	Roman victory

Belligerents

Roman Republic

Aequi

Commanders and leaders

Quinctius Cincinnatus,
Minucius Esquilinus

Gracchus Clelius

The Battle of Mons Algidus was fought in 458 BC (or 457 BC) between the Roman Republic and the Aequi near Algidus Mons, Latium. The Roman dictator Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus turned a Roman defeat into an important victory.

The government of Rome was already shared between the original Romans, the Latin and Sabine peoples. For example, the Quinctia gens who had a major influence on Roman public life during this time were of Latin origin. The Hernici were allied to Rome; the Etruscans were not impinging on the Romans, even though the Estruscan town of Veii was close to Rome.

The greatest enemies of Rome at this time were the Volsci and the Aequi. The Volsci were based in territory to the southeast of Rome while the Aequi were based to the east. The Aequi kept attacking, whether with allies or alone, Rome and its surroundings. In particular, the Aequi moved from the Apennine Mountains towards Tusculum (Frascati). Their attacks disturbed trade and commercial communications along the Via Latina as well as throughout Roman territory.

Within Rome the situation at this time was disturbing. There were conflicts between the Roman patricians and plebeians. There was also a revolt by the slaves of Rome. During the revolt, the Campidoglio was held by the slaves for a lengthy period, along with the most important temples of Rome. It was during this revolt that consul Valerius Publicola had died. The revolt ended only with the arrival of an army from Tusculum, led by Tusculan dictator Lucius Mamilius. Meanwhile, Cincinnatus was appointed as consul to replace Publicola.

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