Samnites Discussion

Dedicated for all DNA, Analysis Results, History, Research topics related to: Samnites

The Samnites were a powerful nation of indo european hill peoples who dominated the southern part of Italy. They consisted of four tribes - the Hirpini, Caudini, Caraceni and Pentri. They were ferocious in combat and offered fierce resistance to Rome in 3 different wars. At the Battle of the Caldine Forks, the Samnites delivered a humilating defeat to the Romans who were ill equipped to fight in the mountainous terrain. As a result the Romans were forced to abandon the Hoplite Legion to which they had adapted from the Etruscans - thus the creation of the Manipular Legion which was versatile and allowed adapation to different terrains. Furthermore the Romans realized the importance to extend careers for soldiers as considerable time was now required to train them. In 290 BC, the Samnites had finally been conquered and adapted into a new territory under the Roman Republic. The popular Roman gladiator class Samnite was later named after these people of Samnium.