Horatii

The trumpet blared as the six brothers drew their swords. Three Horatii fought for Rome, while three Curiatii fought for Alba Longa. The two armies gathered to watch them decide the war. Each champion advanced for his people. Both cities believed that the fight would decide their fate.

Rome and Alba Longa were friendly. Then men from both cities raided each other's cattle. Each side believed itself right, so neither side settled the quarrel. King Tullus Hostilius of Rome and Mettius, the Alban leader, chose the contest instead. The winning trio's city would rule the defeated city, and neither army would suffer crippling losses.

Steel flashed against steel, and shields struck together. The champions grappled as blades thrust and parried. Blood ran across the ground. Two of the Horatii fell dead. Their surviving brother then faced all three Curiatii alone. The Albans expected victory, but the Roman saw that his opponents were wounded and separated. He ran from one to the next and forced them to follow at different speeds. He then turned and attacked each wounded man in turn. He killed the first Curiatius, then the second, and finally the third. The Alban army accepted the result, and Alba Longa became subordinate to Rome.