30 - The Ligurian War (260 - 259)
During the two Decades since the end of the Third Etrurian War in 280, the Republic had made no efforts to increase its influence further into Cisalpine Gaul. But without any doubt, it had monitored the events in the area between Apennines and Alps.
The largest territories were under control of the Celtic people of the Insubri and Cenomani. Further to the east, the Veneti had recovered from their defeat versus the Cenomani and had successfully engaged the Eravisci, giving them access to northern Illyria and minor territories further northward. Eventually, in the area now known as Liguria, there were a group of people with more Latin than Celtic descent. The Genuati, Ingauni and Ilvates controlled the coast between Pisae and the Maritime Alps as well as a small part of the respective hinterland.
The Republic had decided, to move its borders further along the coast, which resulted in the Ligurian War versus the Genuati and Ingauni. The Campaign began probably in spring 260 and according to estimations, Rome deployed a total of up to 20.000 soldiers.
It is widely assumed, that this large amount of troops was not necessary to defeat the enemy forces on the battlefield. There are reports about minor skirmishes and Livius describes, that Consul Camillus Claudius abstained from pursuing the survivors.
It is believed, that Livius` description is rather an euphemism to hide Claudius` ineptitude in military matters. Claudius had already served as Second Consul from 269 to 264, so during the struggle for Sicily versus Carthage. But he did not appear as military commander during that time and seems to have overseen construction works in Latium and Campania. That he became First Consul was rather an accident, since the initial Consul Quintus Fabius Gurges had suddenly died in 262 and Claudius had a leading role in his faction in the Senate.
Nevertheless he tried to gain a military reputation by personally leading the Roman forces in battle. But in the skirmishes at Rubra and Savo, where the Romans had multiple times the soldiers than their opponents, he was not able to win a decisive victory, with the opposing force being able to retreat from the battlefield after inflicting considerably high casualties.
It was probably only due to the weakness of the Ligurian forces, that Claudius` lack of skill had no lasting negative consequences. The Campaign proved to be a series of three sieges. Portus Veneris (Porto Venere) surrendered in September 260 already, while the last fortress Album Intemelium was able to hold out until summer 259.
The motivation for Rome`s Campaign is not quite clear, but some authors point out that, similar to the Republic`s Campaigns in Illyria, the idea of securing coastal areas and thus the merchant shipping in the Tyrrhenian Sea may have been an important factor. The predominantly Latin / Etruscan culture of the local people may have further contributed to that.