XEE4142706: Brennus putting his sword in the balance, 390 BC.: Sacked Rome by the Gauls led by their chief Brennus (Brennos). Faced with the resistance of the Romans, Brennus agreed to deal with the Roman military tribune Quintus Sulpicius: he left Rome against the payment of a strong grudge. A large scale was then prepared on a square in Rome; in order to further increase the grudge, the Gauls placed false weight there. Faced with the protests of the Romans who failed to balance the balance, Brennus added to their despair by throwing his sword on the scale and uttering the words “vae victis”” (woe to the defeated)., Unknown Artist, (19th century) / Bridgeman Images