Abstract
In his Historiae (XXII 57, 6) Livy wrote that during the year 216 a.C. two human couples, a Gallic one and a Greek one, were buried alive in the Foro Boario as an extraordinary sacrifice. A prophecy written in the Sybilline books claimed that Rome would be conquered by Greeks and Gauls if this sacrifice was not performed. In Rome this rite was banished in 97 a.C., but the presence of a couple of Greeks and Gauls buried together is difficult to explain. However, this rite can be considered a memory of the dangerous situation Rome had to face in the IVth century. Between 386 and 331 a.C. Rome was really challenged by Greek and Gallic forces because of the aggressive policy of Siracusa. Dionisius I and Dionisius II of Siracusa employed Gallic mercenaries settled in Apulia and Campania amongst their troops in order to fight against Cere and her allies, that is Rome and the Etrurian cities.
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