He that first brought wine among them
and was the chief instigator of their coming into Italy is said to
have been one Aruns, A Tuscan, a man of noble extraction.
At their first coming they at once possessed themselves of all
that country which anciently the Tuscans inhabited, reaching from
the Alps to both the seas, as the names themselves testify; for
the North of Adriatic Sea is named from the Tuscan city Adria, and
that to the south the Tuscan Sea simply. The whole country is rich
in fruit trees, has excellent pasture, and is well watered with
river. It had eighteen large and beautiful cities, well provided
with all the means for industry and wealth, and all the enjoyments
and pleasures of life. The Gauls cast out the Tuscans, and seated
themselves in them.
The Gauls at this time were besieging Clusium, a Tuscan city. The
Clusinians sent to the Romans for succor, desiring them to
interpose with the barbarians by letters and ambassadors. The
Romans, perceiving that Brennus, the leader of the Gauls, was not
to be treated with, went into Clusium and encouraged the
inhabitants to make a sally with them upon the barbarians, which
they did either to try their strength or to show their own.
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