LATIN LEAGUE

originally a confederation of about 30 villages and tribes in the neighbourhood of ancient Rome that joined for mutual protection and defense against hostile adjoining communities. The city of Alba Longa, the leader of this federation, was the site of religious ceremonies, which included worship of Jupiter on the Alban Mount. It was also the place where league members assembled to dispense justice. Rome first entered into an alliance with the league about 493 BC for mutual defense. As Rome gained territory the political power of the league diminished. Their treaty was renewed in 358 BC with changes that secured Rome's leadership. This led to an outbreak of war from which Rome emerged victorious in 338 BC, when the Latin League was dissolved.