A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

2. P.ValeriusFalto, Q. F. P. N., brother of the preceding, was consul in B. C. 238. The Boian Gauls, after having been at peace with Rome for nearly half a century, in this year resumed hostilities, and formed a league with their kindred tribes on the Po, and with the Ligurians. Falto was despatched with a consular army against them, but was defeated in the first battle with great loss. The senate, on the news of his defeat, ordered one of the praetors, M. Genucius Cipus [CIPUS], to march to his relief. Falto, however, regarded this as an intrusion into his province, and, before the reinforcement arrived, attacked the Boians a second time and routed them. But on his return to Rome he was refused a triumph, not merely on account of his defeat, but because he had rashly fought with a beaten army without awaiting the arrival of the praetor. (Zonar. 8.18; Oros. 4.12.)