The republic came into existence in Rome in the aftermath of the sack of the city by forces from the Gallic Empire, which was at that point fighting for independence from the Roman Empire. The sack resulted in a power vacuum. Several factions sought control of the city, one of which was a republican faction. Ultimately, the republican faction prevailed. A new Senate was elected, and it immediately elected two Consuls and proclaimed the Second Roman Republic. The new republic expanded into the surrounding area over the following months, as republican factions gained control of other towns and cities that had been devastated during the Gallic invasion of Italy and declared themselves loyal to Rome.