Today, we continue our new series of features from Perpetual Entertainment's Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising. In this series, Perpetual will provide MMORPG.com readers with information on all five of the major cities that players will have a chance to visit in-game. In today's feature, we learn about Praeneste. Also, check out this new Video profile from Art Director Mike Hines!

Legend has it that Praeneste was founded by the hero Ulysses, but historians claim it was the Etruscans that established this walled city nestled amongst the hills of eastern Armentalius. Whatever the truth of its origins, it is certain that Etruscans had in fact settled in Praeneste several hundred years before the city was conquered by Rome.

After Rome suffered a minor defeat at the hands of the Gauls in 390 BC, Praeneste switched allegiances and fought against the Republic in the long series of struggles that culminated in the Latin War. Eventually, the Republic's forces emerged victorious and Praeneste was punished by the loss of some of its territory, at which time it was forcibly allied to Rome. Praeneste has become exceptionally prosperous under Republican rule, and a large Roman military garrison has been established there to deal with the ongoing conflict with the Gauls.

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