Samnites

The Samnites are tribes Sabellien born established in the Samnium (mountainous region of central Italy) of seventh century BC at the end of third century BC.

The first written mention of Samnites goes back to 354 av. J. - C., in a treaty concluded with the Romains.

Social organization

These people speak a language connected with the Osque. Samnites were of at least four tribes:

the Pentriens, the most important tribe, with for capital Bovaiamom
the Caracéniens, on high Sangro (Sagrus) with for principal city Cluviae and Juvanum
the Caudiniens, principal cities Caudium
the Hirpins (Osque: wolf ), with the sources of Calore with for principal city Beneventum

Then later these tribes will be joined by:

the Frentans, along the Adriatic, between Sangro and Fortore, with for principal city Larinum

History

Samnites are installed in Samnium since -800. Samnites remained confined at their ancestral zone, even if they briefly controlled the two coasts of the peninsula.

After the Latin Guerres which saw Rome seizing the power of the Latium, Samnites are opposed to the Roman conquest of the center of Italy. It is the beginning of the Guerres samnites, which are brought back mainly by Tite-Live:

First war samnite (343 av. J. - C. - 341 av. J. - C.), caused by an alliance between Rome and Capoue. Samnites besiege Capoue but fail. The war is gained by the Romans, but without much advantage for them.
Second war samnite (327 av. J. - C. - 302 av. J. - C.). The Romans try to encircle Samnites, but themselves are taken with the trap with the Fourches Caudines and must go. They take again the combat in -316 but are again demolished.
Third war samnite (299 av. J. - C. - 290 av. J. - C.). Samnites are combined with the Étrusques and of the tribes Gaulois be but are overcome with the Bataille of Sentinum in 295 av. J. - C.. Samnites are definitively overcome by Rome, and Samnium (country of Samnites) is subjected.

The irredentism samnite persisted, and Samnites were combined with the adversaries of Rome present in Italy, Pyrrhus in 280 av. J.C, and Hannibal Barca at the time of the Second Punic War.

Samnites were among the first people to revolt at the time of the social Guerre. In 82 av. J. - C., at the conclusion of the battle of the door Hill, Sylla massacre the majority of the warriors and disperses the remainder of the population samnite.

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