Book 5, The Capture of Rome: Chapter 1, Rome's Capture, Part 1 Summary and Analysis

The author begins with an update of the over all situation. The Etruscans continued to be a significant political and cultural power. They had been known for decades as having been the most advanced in matters of religion. Any time there were questions that needed augery or prophecy to be answered, the superior knowledge of the Etruscans was consistently sought. This area of superiority was granted even though they had been forced into a kind of distanced submission by Rome, once the latter had grown strong enough to cause this. At the same tie, Veii became the 'enemy of the year'. They had appointed a King due the condition of their own internal politics. Due to the new military campaign huge portions of the men...