Battle of Telamon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Telamon
View of Talamone
Date 225 BC Location Campo Regio, near Telamon (modern Talamone in Tuscany) Result Roman victory
Belligerents
Roman Republic	Celts
Commanders and leaders
G. Atilius Regulus  †, L. Aemilius Papus	Concolitanus (POW), Aneroëstes  †
Strength
101,600 infantry, 6,400 cavalry	50,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry
Casualties and losses
6,000 killed	40,000 killed, 10,000 captured

The Battle of Telamon was a big fight between the Romans and a group of Celtic tribes. It happened in 225 BC. The Roman leaders were two consuls, Gaius Atilius Regulus and Lucius Aemilius Papus. They defeated the Celts, who were led by kings Concolitanus and Aneroëstes. This victory helped Rome become safer from Celtic attacks. It also allowed Rome to control more land in northern Italy.

Why the Battle Happened

Rising Tensions with the Celts

Rome had been mostly peaceful with the Celtic tribes in northern Italy. This area was called Cisalpine Gaul, near the Po River. But things changed when Rome took over land in Picenum in 234 BC. This made the nearby Celtic tribes, the Boii and Insubres, very upset.

Then, in 232 BC, Rome passed a law. This law gave large areas of Celtic land to poorer Roman citizens. These actions made the Celts angry. Many people at the time knew these actions would cause trouble.

Celts Prepare for War

In 225 BC, the Boii and Insubres tribes decided to fight Rome. They paid a lot of money to the Gaesatae. These were Celtic fighters from beyond the Alps, led by Aneroëstes and Concolitanus.

The Romans were worried about this large Celtic army. To focus on the threat at home, Rome made a deal. They gave the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal the Fair control of Hispania (modern Spain).

Rome Gathers Its Armies

Rome called on its allies across Italy for soldiers. Consul Lucius Aemilius Papus had a large army. It included 22,000 Roman soldiers and 32,000 allied troops. He placed most of his forces at Ariminum.

Another 54,000 Sabines and Etruscans guarded the Etruscan border. They were led by a Roman praetor. Rome also sent 40,000 Umbrians, Sarsinates, Veneti, and Cenomani to attack the Boii's homeland. This was meant to distract the Boii.

The other consul, Gaius Atilius Regulus, had an army similar in size. But he was stationed far away in Sardinia. Rome also kept a reserve force of 21,500 citizens and 32,000 allies in Rome itself. There was also one legion in Sicily and one in Tarentum.

Celtic Victory at Faesulae

The Celtic army marched into Etruria and headed towards Rome. Roman troops met them near Clusium, about three days' march from Rome. Both armies set up camp.

That night, the Celts tricked the Romans. They left their cavalry and campfires as a decoy. The main Celtic army secretly moved to Faesulae and built defenses. In the morning, the Roman cavalry left. The Romans thought the Celts were running away and chased them.

But the Celts were waiting behind their defenses. They fought from a strong position and won a tough battle. Six thousand Romans were killed. The remaining Romans retreated to a defensible hill.

Later that night, Consul Papus arrived and camped nearby. The Celtic leader Aneroëstes decided to withdraw. He wanted to take their stolen goods and fight again later. Papus chased them, attacking their rear. But he did not risk a full battle.

Meanwhile, the other Consul, Regulus, had crossed from Sardinia. He landed at Pisa and was marching towards Rome. His scouts met the Celtic advance guard near Telamon (modern Talamone). This area was called Campo Regio.

The Battle of Telamon

Regulus quickly prepared his troops for battle. He sent his cavalry to take a hill above the road. This hill would block the Celts' escape. The Celts did not know Regulus had arrived. They thought Papus had sent some riders ahead. So, they sent their own horsemen and light infantry to fight for the hill.

When the Celts realized they faced a second full Roman army, they quickly changed their formation. They placed the Gaesatae and Insubres tribes at the back, facing Papus. The Boii and Taurisci tribes faced Regulus at the front. Their sides were protected by a wall of wagons and chariots. A small group guarded their stolen goods on another nearby hill.

The fight for the main hill was fierce. Papus sent his horsemen to help Regulus. Sadly, Regulus was killed, and his head was brought to the Celtic leaders. But in the end, the Roman equites (cavalry) defeated the Celtic horsemen. The Romans then took control of the hill.

Meanwhile, the Roman velites (light infantry) attacked the Celtic foot soldiers from both sides. They threw many javelins. This was especially damaging to the Gaesatae. Some Gaesatae charged wildly at the Roman skirmishers and were killed. Others retreated, causing disorder among their allies.

The Insubres advanced to take their place. The velites were pulled back, and the Roman hastati (heavy infantry) moved forward in maniples (small units). The Insubres, Boii, and Taurisci fought bravely against these heavy infantry. Even with better weapons, the hastati could not break them.

Finally, the hastati were rotated out. The more experienced principes (veteran infantry) took their place. They slowly wore down the determined Celtic foot soldiers, but the Celts still refused to break.

Then, the victorious Roman cavalry rode down from the hill. They crashed into the side of the tired Celtic infantry. The Celts were slaughtered where they stood. Their own cavalry had already fled earlier.

About 40,000 Celts were killed, and 10,000 were captured. This included Concolitanus. Aneroëstes escaped with a small group, but they all took their own lives. After the battle, Papus led the combined Roman armies into Liguria and the Boii territory. They carried out attacks to punish the Celts.

What Happened Next

Papus was given a Roman triumph (a victory parade) for his part in the win. This battle ended the Celtic threat to Rome for good. In 224 BC, two Roman armies invaded Celtic lands. They forced the Boii tribe to surrender.

In 223 and 222 BC, Rome won more major victories. The Celts finally gave up, losing large areas of their land. Roman citizens were then settled on this land. This made the Celts very angry. This anger played a big part in why the Celts joined Hannibal later. Hannibal crossed the Alps in 218 BC during the Second Punic War.

See also

• Roman Republican governors of Gaul