The mighty Gauls, fearsome and determined, had surrounded the city and were determined to conquer the heart of Rome – Capitoline Hill. Under cover of darkness, their warriors began to climb up the rocky slope, deftly bypassing the Roman guards and even the loyal guard dogs.
But they had not reckoned with a force of nature: the sacred geese from the temple of Juno.
These birds were no ordinary geese. They were venerated and fed in the temple of Juno and occupied a special place in the Roman faith. The Romans saw in them the symbol of Juno’s watchful eye.
And they were indeed vigilant.
Even the slightest crunch of a Gallic foot on loose stone made the geese sit up and take notice. With loud chatter, they broke the silence of the night and triggered an alarm that echoed across the hill.Startled by the noise, the experienced Roman commander Marcus Manlius Capitolinus jumped up. He grabbed his sword, hurried to the edge of the temple and saw the shadowy figures of the Gauls climbing up the slope.
Without hesitation, he pounced on the foremost intruder and threw him back down the slope. His attack caused chaos among the Gauls, who lost their balance and fell down the slope, causing their attack to fail.
Other Romans soon rushed to his aid and threw stones at the attackers. The Gauls, disoriented and frightened, retreated to flight, and Capitoline Hill remained undefeated.
This story about the geese and their shrill alarm call has become a popular legend, a testimony to vigilance in danger and a reminder that even the smallest creatures can turn fate around. In the annals of Roman lore, the geese of Juno are forever celebrated as unexpected heroes who saved the city from destruction.
Leave a Reply