Valerius Corvus

(Marcus Valerius Corvus)

370–270 BC

WARS WITH THE SAMNITES

Valerius Corvus is best know for a single combat with a giant Gaul, in which he was aided in victory by a crow, which flew in his opponent's face (hence the surname Corvus). He was a very long-serving Roman general, who is reputed to have lived for 100 years. During this time, he was six times consul, and dictator twice. His first consulship was received the year after the battle with the Gaul, when he was only 22. During his career, he battled Gauls, Volscians, Samnites, Etruscans, and Marsians.

Key events during the life of Corvus:

Year	Event
349 BC	Defeats a giant Gaul in single combat, aided by a crow.
348 BC	Consul, at age of 22.
346 BC	Consul again, defeats Volsci.
343 BC	Consul again, defeats Samnites at Mount Gaurus.
342 BC	Dictator.
335 BC	Consul, defeats Cales.
301 BC	Dictator again.
300 BC	Consul, defeats Aequi, introduces law of appeal.
299 BC	Consul, defeats Etruscans.

Other Resources

Story Links	Book Links
Certain Great Romans  in	Stories From Livy  by  Alfred J. Church
Two Heroes of Rome  in	The Story of the Romans  by  H. A. Guerber
Curtian Lake  in	The Story of Rome  by  Mary Macgregor
Anecdotes of the Latin and Samnite Wars  in	Historical Tales: Roman  by  Charles Morris

Contemporary	Short Biography
decius1
Manlius Torquatus	Consul who slew his son for a minor disobedience.
Fabius Rullianus	Hero of the Battle of Sentinum, against the Gauls and Samnites.
Appius Claudius	Built first auqeduct, public buildings, and "Appian Way", the great Roman road to Capua.