was not a monarchy, but a free City, and they had made up their minds to open
their gates even to an enemy sooner than to a king. It was the universal wish that whatever put an
end to liberty in the City should put an end to the City itself.” – Livy, The
History of Rome, Book 2
Poplicola overcame Roman distrust and Etruscan aggression to set the young
Republic onto firm foundations.Aristagoras’ failed attempt to capture the island of Naxos led to open
warfare between Greece and Persia.