Abstract: This article is an attempt to present the role of colonisation in the Roman policy of expansion towards its Italian neighbours in the 3rd–2nd BCE and showing the effects of this phenomenon, as illustrated by settlements in the Ager Gallicus and Picenum. Information on the founded colonies in sources, appearing somewhat on the margins of accounts of military activities and diplomatic missions in Italy (foedera), but also connected with the internal policy conducted by Rome (grants of land), may indicate that colonisation complemented such activities. This complementary character of the process of colonisation in relation to other political, military, diplomatic, and internal activities seems to be an important feature of the Republic's activities.

Key words: Roman colonisation, Roman Republic, Ager Gallicus, Picenum, Roman conquest.

Roman colonisation during the Republic was a phenomenon that even ancient writers perceived as one of the fundaments of the Roman domination of Italy. Contemporary historians are equally impressed, but there are also numerous controversies regarding its motives and reasons. The classical interpretation of the motives behind this process as military and strategic activities (E.T. Salmon is the main representative of this line of thinking) has recently been criticised by various researchers who have tried to point out other aspects of the process. They often emphasise that other issues, including demographic and economic ones, should also be considered.