The legend of the sacred geese
The Gallic people of Celtic origin had long settled in present-day France.
This nomadic, tall, blue-eyed village moved more and more south, attracted by better pastures and a more favourable climate. They were ferocious and possessed a refined combat skill accompanied by frightening cries of war, destroying any resistance.
They first crossed the Alps, and later attracted to fruitful Italy and wine, they encouraged themselves to cross the Apennines.
When the Romans became aware of the progress of these barbarians, they escaped, seeking refuge in neighboring villages. The youngest, they barricaded themselves in the citadel of the capitol with all kinds of treasures and food to resist the attack.
In the forum remained the venerable elders, dressed in their best galas to face the sacrifice if that was the desire of the gods.
The Gauls were surprised to find the group of Roman elders. By their majestic attitude they looked like gods. They did not know how to act until one of the Gauls thought to touch the beard of Marco Piraeus, and he responded by beating him with his scepter. This led to a carnage, as the Gauls reacted by killing all the patricians they found and when they found no one else to kill, they set the buildings on fire.
The Gauls had not yet reached the citadel of the Capitol, and the Romans who were there slept confidently in their fortress. When the Gauls found the path to the citadel they began to climb the steep slope with difficulty during the night and in absolute silence so as not to alert its inhabitants.
In the center of the capitol was the temple of Juno, whose statue had been brought from Veyes. In that temple there was a pen with many geese, the birds consecrated to the goddess.
These geese, as soon as they heard the slightest noise, began to squawk alerting the sentinels, and when the Gauls peered over the rocks, the geese attacked them with flaps.
The geese of Juno saved the citadel and since then they were cared for with much more care, forbidding their sacrifice.