TheLatin League (c. 8th century – 338 BC)[1] was an ancient confederation of about 30 villages and tribes in the region ofLatium near theancient city of Rome, organized for mutual defense. The term "Latin League" is one coined by modern historians with no preciseLatin equivalent.^[2]

Latin League Foedus Latinum
793 BC–338 BC
Map of the main cities of the Latin League
Common languages	Latin
Government	TribalConfederation
History
• Established	793 BC
• Disestablished	338 BC
Preceded by Succeeded by Latins (Italic tribe) Alba Longa Roman Republic
Today part of	Italy

The Latin League was originally created for protection against enemies from surrounding areas (theEtruscans) under the leadership of the city ofAlba Longa.^[1] An incomplete fragment of an inscription recorded byCato the Elder claims that at one time the league includedTusculum,Aricia,Lanuvium,Lavinium,Cora,Tibur,Pometia andArdea.^[3]

During the reign ofTarquinius Superbus, the Latins were persuaded to acknowledge the leadership of Rome. The treaty with Rome was renewed, and it was agreed that the troops of the Latins would attend on an appointed day to form a united military force with the troops of Rome. That was done, and Tarquin formed combined units of Roman and Latin troops.^[4]

The earlyRoman Republic formed an alliance with the Latin League in 493 BC. According to Roman tradition, the treaty, theFoedus Cassianum,^[5] followed a Roman victory over the league in theBattle of Lake Regillus. It provided that both Rome and the Latin League would share loot from military conquests (which would later be one of the reasons for theLatin War 341–338 BC) and that any military campaigns between the two would be led by Roman generals. The alliance helped repel attacks from such peoples as theAequi and theVolsci, tribes of theApennine Mountains, who were prevented from invading Latium by the blending of armies.^[1]

It is still unclear if theLatins had accepted Rome as a member of the League, or if the treaty had been signed as between Rome and the Latin League.

During theRoman Kingdom and the early-to-midRoman Republic there were numerousdisputes between Rome and the Latins, which led to a number of wars between Rome and individual Latin cities and occasionally with the entire league.

The increasing power of Rome gradually led to its domination of the league. The renewal of the original treaty in 358 BC formally established Roman leadership and eventually triggered the outbreak of theLatin War (343–338 BC).^[1] Following the Roman victory, the league was dissolved.

After 338 BC, the end of the Latin league, Rome renamed the citiesmunicipia and establishedcoloniae inside them. This meant that the towns were now ruled by Rome (or the Roman Republic) and that the people living there were considered Roman colonists.^[5]