In 225 BC, a large group of Gaesatae ('spearmen'), Celtic mercenaries and freebooters, invaded north Italy. Joined by local Celts from the Insubres, Boii and Taurisci tribes, a force numbering some 70,000 invaded Etruria.
Returning homeward laden with plunder, they became trapped between two Roman armies at Telamon near Cosa and were forced to give battle. The Celts drew up their forces, Taurisci and Boii facing one Roman army, Insubres and Gaesatae the other.
The Celtic warriors fought wildly and bravely but the Romans were victorious and about 40,000 of the Celts were said to have been slain.
The scene was vividly described by the Greek writer, Polybius:
