Election As Consul, and Battle of Silva Arsia, 509 BC
Collatinus worked with Tarquinius Superbus' relatives to restore their properties. After the failed conspiracy, Collatinus was denounced and left Rome, resigning his office of consul. Valerius was elected to replace him.
| "They annex strange incidents to this battle, --that in the silence of the next night a loud voice was emitted from the Arsian wood; that it was believed to be the voice of Silvanus: these words were spoken, "that more of the Etrurians by one had fallen in the battle; that the Roman was victorious in the war." Certainly the Romans departed thence as victors, the Etrurians as vanquished." |
| The History of Rome. Book 02. Chapter 7, by Titus Livius. |
The deposed king, Tarquinius Superbus, whose family originated from Tarquinii in Etruria, garnered the support of that city and also of Veii. The armies of the two cities followed Tarquin against Rome, and the Roman consuls Brutus and Valerius led the Roman army to meet them at the Battle of Silva Arsia. Valerius commanded the Roman infantry. Brutus died during the battle, but the Romans were ultimately victorious. Valerius collected the spoils of the routed Etruscans, and returned to Rome to celebrate a triumph on 1 March 509 BC. Publicola celebrated at Rome, riding a four horse chariot, which subsequently became a Roman tradition for celebrating victories. Also, he held a magnificent funeral for Brutus where he made a memorable speech.
Livy writes that later in 509 BC Valerius returned to fight the Veientes. It is unclear whether this was continuing from the Battle of Silva Arsia, or was some fresh dispute. It is also unclear what happened in this dispute.
Read more about this topic: Publius Valerius Publicola
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