Smoke drifted through the streets of Rome. The year was 390 BCE. At the River Allia, Roman lines had broken under the shock of a Gallic assault. Warriors taller, louder, and seemingly unstoppable smashed through discipline with raw force. Days later, they stood inside the city itself. Led by Brennus, the Gauls poured into Rome. Houses burned. Temples were looted. Only the Capitoline Hill held out. According to tradition, sacred geese warned defenders of a nighttime assault. The image became lege