Samnite Wars

B.C. 342 to 290
Rome — versus — Samnites (with Gaul and Etruscan allies)

First Samnite and Latin Wars, 343-338 B.C. Second (the Great) Samnite War, 326-304 B.C. Third Samnite War, 298-290 B.C.

The hill-dwelling Samnites, whose territory covered the vast mountainous regions of central Italy, were the most difficult of Rome's neighbors to subdue. There were three Samnite Wars which lasted over a period of fifty years. In spite of numerous set backs, each war was concluded on terms that increased Rome's power and by the end of the third Samnite war, Rome controlled all of central Italy.

First Samnite War and the Latin War : 343-338 B.C.

THE SON OF MANLIUS TORQUATUS, PROVOKED BEYOND ENDURANCE BY THE TAUNTS OF THE LATIN CHAMPION, RODE OUT FROM THE RANKS

The first Samnite war began when the plain dwellers of Campania requested Rome's assistance to fend off attacks by her highland neighbors. The conflict was brief, consisting mainly of a decisive Roman victory at Mount Gaurus. The war was brought to a close by the revolt of Rome's Latin allies, a conflict which was resolved by the Battle of Vesuvius. After the first Samnite War, Campania, with its chief city of Capua, became a Roman protectorate.

The first Samnite war is best known for two famous anecdotes of the associated Latin War. The first, is the famous charge by Decius Mus, who was told by an auger that if he died in battle, the Romans would prevail. The second is the harsh treatment of Manlius Torquatus towards his son, who had fought single-combat with a Latin against his orders.

Date	Battle Summary
342 BC	Battle of Mount Gaurus (Latin Rebellion ) Romans victory Fought B.C. 342, between the Romans, under Valerius Corvus, and the Samnites. The Romans won a signal victory.
339 BC	Battle of Vesuvius (Second ) Romans victory Fought near Mount Vesuvius, B.C. 339, between the Romans, under Manlius Torquatus and Decius Mus, and the Latin army. The Roman left was repulsed, but Decius Mus, sacrificing himself for the army, sprang into the midst of the enemy and was slain, and his soldiers following him, renewed the conflict. Manlius now brought up his veteran reserve, and the Romans breaking the Latin line, slew or captured nearly three-fourths of their opponents. The Roman loss, however, was so heavy, that they were unable to pursue.

Commander	Short Biography
decius1
Valerius Corvus	Defeated a gigantic Gaul in one-on-one combat; lived to be 100.
Manlius Torquatus	Consul who slew his son for a minor disobedience.

Story Links	Book Links
Formidable Neighbours  in	Stories from Ancient Rome  by  Alfred J. Church
Dream of the Two Consuls  in	The Story of Rome  by  Mary Macgregor
Anecdotes of the Latin and Samnite Wars  in	Historical Tales: Roman  by  Charles Morris

Story Links	Book Links
How Decius Mus Saved Rome  in	Thirty More Famous Stories Retold  by  James Baldwin
Manlius of the Twisted Chain  in	Stories From Livy  by  Alfred J. Church
Certain Great Romans  in	Stories From Livy  by  Alfred J. Church
Manlius Torquatus  in	Famous Men of Rome  by  John H. Haaren & A. B. Poland

Second Samnite War : 326-304 B.C.

A ROMAN ARMY PASSING UNDER THE YOKE.

The Second Samnite War was the longest and most fiercely fought of the three, lasting over twenty years. A few years into the war, the Samnites captured a Roman army in a defile called Caudine Forks. Instead of killing the army the Samnite chief released them, in return for favorable terms from Rome. This humiliation infuriated the Romans, but resulted in five year lull in hostilities. Still the war dragged on, alternating between Samnite victories, such as that at Lautulae, and Roman victories, as at Ciuna. It was a war of attrition, but the Samnites suffered more. After they failed to relieve the siege of Bovianum, their capital, they sued for peace.

Date	Battle Summary
322 BC	Battle of Caudine Forks (Second ) Samnites victory Fought B.C. 322, when four Roman legions, under T. Veturius Calvinus and Spurius Postumus were entrapped by the Sabines under Pontius, in the narrow pass of Caudium. The Romans fought till nightfall, suffering heavy loss, and next day, finding every exit from the pass barred, the survivors surrendered.
316 BC	Battle of Lautulae (Second ) Samnites victory Fought B.C. 316, between the Samnites, under Pontius, and the Romans, under Q. Fabius Maximus. The Romans were defeated with great slaughter.
315 BC	Battle of Ciuna (Second ) Romans victory Fought B.C. 315, between the Romans under Caius Maenius and the Samnites under Pontius. The Romans gained a signal victory.
307 BC	Battle of Bovianum (Third ) Romans victory Fought B.C. 307 between the Romans under Titus Minucius, and the Samnites under Statius Gellius. Gellius attempted to relieve Bovianum, which the Romans were besieging, and was totally defeated, though Minucius fell in the battle. This defeat broke the Samnite power, and they sued for peace in the following year, leaving Rome without dispute the first power in Italy.

Commander	Short Biography
Caius Pontius †	Samnite general who captured the Romans at Caudium Pass.
Fabius Rullianus	Hero of the Battle of Sentinum, against the Gauls and Samnites.

Story Links	Book Links
Passes of Caudium  in	Stories From Livy  by  Alfred J. Church
Disaster at the Caudine Forks  in	The Story of the Romans  by  H. A. Guerber
Caudine Forks  in	The Story of Rome  by  Mary Macgregor
Disgrace of the Caudine Forks Avenged  in	The Story of Rome  by  Mary Macgregor
Caudine Forks  in	Historical Tales: Roman  by  Charles Morris

Third Samnite War : 298-290 B.C.

P. DECIUS MUS DEVOTING HIMSELF FOR HIS COUNTRY

The peace lasted only a few years however. By 298 B.C., the Samnite made an alliance with the Etruscans and Gauls in Northern Italy to defeat Rome. The fighting got off to a disastrous start, as a Roman army was routed at the battle of Camerinum. Shortly thereafter, Rome raised four legions to meet the Samnites and their Gallic allies in a colossal battle at Sentinum. The result was a decisive victory for Rome with very heavy losses on the Samnite side. Although Samnium did not sue for peace after this battle, it could make only a feeble resistance. In the final battle of Apalonia the Samnite camp was looted, their city taken and many of their warriors slain. When Rome offered peace to their most persistent foes it was finally accepted.

Date	Battle Summary
298 BC	Battle of Camerinum (Third ) Samnites victory Fought B.C. 298, between two Roman legions under Lucius Scipio, and the Samnites under Gellius Equatius, aided by a force of Gauls. Scipio, who had been stationed near Camerinum to watch the pass through which the Gauls were expected to cross the Apennines, was unable to prevent the junction of the two armies, and was totally defeated, one of his legions being cut to pieces.
298 BC	Battle of Sentinum (Rise of Kent ) Romans victory Fought B.C. 298, between five Roman legions, under Q. Fabius Maximus and Publius Decius, and the Samnites and Gauls, under Gellius Equatius. The Roman left was disordered by the war-chariots of the Gauls, but was rallied by Decius, who restored the battle, but at the cost of his life. On the right the Samnites were routed, and Fabius then fell upon the Gauls in flank, and broke them. Meanwhile the Samnite camp was attacked, and Equatius slain, the Romans gaining a signal victory. The losses of the victors amounted to 8,200, while the Gauls and Samnites lost 25,000 killed and 8, 000 prisoners.

Commander	Short Biography
Fabius Rullianus	Hero of the Battle of Sentinum, against the Gauls and Samnites.
Decius Mus †	Son of the Decius Mus who sacrified himself at Vesuvius, he died heroically at Sentinum.

Story Links	Book Links
Certain Great Romans  in	Stories From Livy  by  Alfred J. Church
Fabius among the Ciminian Hills  in	The Story of Rome  by  Mary Macgregor
Battle of Sentium  in	The Story of Rome  by  Mary Macgregor
Son of Fabius Loses a Battle  in	The Story of Rome  by  Mary Macgregor

Image Links
The son of Torquatus, provoked by the taunts of the Latin champion, rode out from the ranks.  in Stories from Ancient Rome	A Roman Army passing under the Yoke  in Famous Men of Rome	Decius Mus Receiving the Evil Augury  in Greatest Nations - Rome
The Romans Pass under the Yoke  in Greatest Nations - Rome	The youth laid the arms he had taken from his foe at his father's feet.  in The Story of Rome	Roman Army Passing Under the Yoke.  in Old World Hero Stories