Tusculum, Lazio. The imperial army of Frederick Barbarossa and the Roman communal army come face to face. The Romans, outnumbered, initially challenge the imperials, but they eventually gain the upper hand. The Roman cavalry swerves and retreats, fleeing. The imperial victory is overwhelming: 2,000 Romans killed and 3,000 taken prisoner, or about a third of the forces involved. It is an unexpected triumph for Frederick, who sees the road to Rome open.
