The example of the Roman republican hero Camillus was of great propagandistic value for the Medici. His expulsion from and triumphatory return to Rome in the fourth century BC could be linked to Cosimo il Vecchio's return to Florence from exile in 1434. In panegyrical orations and other works of propaganda, Cosimo was compared to Camillus and other worthy Romans.

After the Medici family's restoration in Florence in 1512, Lorenzo the younger, the sonson of Lorenzo il Magnifico, came to be associated with Camillus in a similar fashion. As Camillus had saved Rome from the Gaul invasion, Lorenzo had returned to his native Florens to end a period of economic, political and military crisis.

Camillus was also an important figure for Niccolò Machiavelli, who in his Discourses on Livy holds up the Roman general, consul and triumphator as one of the primary examples of ancient Roman virtus.

Francesco ("Cecchino") Salviati: Camillus Triumf (1543-45), Sala d'Udienza, Palazzo Vecchio, Florence.

Marcus Furius Camillus

In the fourth century BC, while Rome was attacking the city of Veii, they heard 12 Etruscan armies were coming, not only to help the Veientians but to destroy Rome as well. For such an emergency the Romans appointed Camillus as dictator.

Camillus had a checkered career, running in and out of public favor. At first as dictator he defeated the Veientians with a trick. He had a tunnel dug under their city. When the Romans emerged suddenly during a sacrifice at the temple of Juno, the Veientians were taken by surprise. It was easy for the Romans to take the city.

As was customary, the soldiers divided the riches of the conquered city, but Camillus was accused of taking more than his fair share. Instead of facing trial, he went into self-imposed exile but eventually the Senate had to recall him again to defeat Brennus and the Gauls.

(From Haaren's Famous Men of Rome)

Livy on the growth of the Roman republic after the conquest of Veii

Camillus returned in triumphal procession to the City, after having been victorious in three simultaneous wars. By far the greatest number of the prisoners who were led before his chariot belonged to the Etruscans. They were publicly sold, and so much was realized that after the matrons had been repaid for their gold, three golden bowls were made from what was left. These were inscribed with the name of Camillus, and it is generally believed that previous to the fire in the Capitol they were deposited in the chapel of Jupiter before the feet of Juno.

During the year, those of the inhabitants of Veii, Capenae, and Fidenae who had gone over to the Romans whilst these wars were going on, were admitted into full citizenship and received an allotment of land. The senate passed a resolution recalling those who had repaired to Veii and taken possession of the empty houses there to avoid the labour of rebuilding. At first they protested and took no notice of the order; then a day was fixed, and those who had not returned by that date were threatened with outlawry. This step made each man fear for himself, and from being united in defiance they now showed individual obedience.

Rome was growing in population, and buildings were rising up in every part of it The State gave financial assistance; the aediles urged on the work as though it were a State undertaking; the individual citizens were in a hurry to complete their task through need of accommodation. Within the year the new City was built.

Livy VI.4

Internt: Machiavelli om Camillus / Rubinstein on the Medicean connection / The triumph all'antica /

Externt: Plutarch's Camillus (Plutarch's biography in English translation) / Biagio d'Antonio da Firenze: The Triumph of Camillus, (tempera, c. 1480) / Marcus Furius Camillus (Historia) / Sanderson Beck: Ethics of Roman Expansion to 133 BC /