From the time that Rome was burned by the Gauls (B.C.
390), the Romans were harassed by the hostilities of this warlike people; and it was not until after the first Punic war, that any vigorous efforts were made for their subjugation.

The Cisalpine Gauls, after a fierce resistance, were overthrown by Marcell'us (B.C.

223) and compelled to submit, and immediately afterwards military colonies were sent out as garrisons to the most favourable situations in their country.

The Gauls zealously supported An'nibal when he invaded Italy, and were severely punished when the Romans finally became victorious.
12.

North-east of Cisalpine Gaul, at the upper extremity of the Adriatic, lay the territory of the Venetians; they were a rich and unwarlike people, and submitted to the Romans without a struggle, long before northern Italy had been annexed to the dominions of the republic.
13.