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What do historical accounts tell us about the prestige of war-wounded aristocrats in early Rome? Between the time of Romulus and the end of the Third Samnite War in 290, historical accounts describe several hundred battles and military operations. However, according to these same sources, only sixteen Roman warlords were wounded during these five centuries. This number is probably underestimated. Indeed, the wounds of the Roman chiefs are part of the narrative of a complex period.