Editing Roman Republic (section)

===Hoplite armies===
{{Main|Phalanx}}
During this period, Roman soldiers seem to have been modelled after those of the [[Etruscans]] to the north,{{sfn|Sekunda|Northwood|1995|p=17}} who themselves are believed to have copied their style of warfare from the Greeks. Traditionally, the introduction of the [[phalanx formation]] into the Roman army is ascribed to the city's penultimate king, [[Servius Tullius]] (ruled 578–534).{{sfn|Sekunda|Northwood|1995|p=18}} The phalanx was effective in large, open spaces, but not on the hilly terrain of the central [[Italian peninsula]]. In the 4th century, the Romans replaced it with the more flexible manipular formation. This change is sometimes attributed to [[Marcus Furius Camillus]] and placed shortly after the [[Battle of the Allia|Gallic invasion]] of 390; more likely, it was copied from Rome's [[Samnium|Samnite]] enemies to the south.{{sfn|Sekunda|Northwood|1995|pp=37–38}}