Valerius Corvus

(Marcus Valerius Corvus)

370–270 BC

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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
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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.