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Dowly · 10-31-15, 11:27 AM

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****

Chapter I – Second Samnite War (306 BC)

Background

In her two last wars, Rome had grown substantially. The rich region of Campania was annexed in the end of the First Samnite War (343-341 BC) and after the Latin War (340-338 BC), most of Latium fell under Roman control.

Nearly twenty years after the end of the First Samnite War, Rome was looking to spark another conflict with their old enemy. Hoping to provoke a response, two Roman colonies were established on Samnite territory, one at Cales in 334 BC and one at Fregellae in 328 BC.

Understandably the Samnites didn't take this too well, but were at the time involved in a conflict with the Greek colony of Tarentum and couldn't react immediately. Once this conflict ended in 331 BC, the Samnites turned to Rome for an explanation to this intrusion on their territory. Rome responded with allegations that the Samnites were encouraging the Greek people of Neapolis (modern Naples) to expand to rest of Campania, and that Rome established her colonies in response.

The Samnites garrisoned the city of Neapolis in 327 BC, which threw the aristocracy of the city in panic. The elite called to Rome for help and the Roman Senate voted unanimously to send an army to Neapolis, setting off the Second Samnite War.

Central Italy c.330 BC

Progress

Until 321 BC, the war had been going in favor of Rome, and the Samnites were forced to sue for peace. The terms of the treaty however, were unacceptable, and the Samnites decided to fought on.

Later in 321 BC, the Samnites, now taking advantage of the mountainous terrain of their territory, managed to ambush the Roman army marching through a mountain pass. What is now known as the Battle of the Caudine Forks was battle in name only. There was no battle nor casualties as the Roman army was completely cut off and any resistance would have been futile. After negotiations, the Roman army was allowed to leave unharmed in exchange for a five year truce and Rome giving up the colonies of Cales and Fregellae.

Hostilities began again in 316 BC as the truce expired. Initially, Rome suffered number of successive defeats, notably a crushing defeat at Lautulae in 315 BC, but from 311 BC to 307 BC, Rome won a series of victories that greatly weakened the Samnite forces.

The decisive series of battles were fought in the summer and early fall of 306 BC. Quintus Rullianus, who had commanded the Roman legion during the battle of Lautulae, marched his newly formed Legio I 'Primum Pilum' towards the Samnite capital. Rather than trying to hold the capital, the Samnites met the Romans on the plains to the west of the city. The Roman forces outnumbered their enemy 3 to 1, but couldnt achieve a decisive victory. The Samnite general, Servius Cupitas, disengaged after a short battle and instead of retreating to the city, he led his forces to Campania.

For over a month, the Samnite army pillaged the countryside of Campania. The much larger Roman army had great difficulties in trying to outmaneuver the Samnites and force a confrontation. It was early fall, when Rome's ally, Apulia, laid siege to the Samnite capital. Message of this was no doubt received by Servius Cupitas for he himself decided to confront the Roman army, as if it was their last act of defiance.

The battle was over quickly. Rullianus attacked the enemy from three sides and rapidly broke their formation. The exact number of casualties is not known, but according to contemporary sources, the Samnite army was destroyed completely. What became of Servius Cupitas is also unknown.

The Roman general marched his legion back to Samnium and sieged the capital with the Apulians.
After 49 days, Bovianum, the Samnite capital surrendered, ending the Second Samnite War.

Aftermath

Rome benefited greatly from the war. Not only was Samnium now wholly part of the Roman Republic, Roman military also adapted the manipular formation from the Samnites. This formation was vastly more flexible compared to the hoplite formations Rome had used before.

The war also necessitated for a road network to be build, so armies could be quickly moved around the Republic. Two ”highways” were built during the war, Via Appia in 312 BC and Via Valeria in 306 BC.

10-31-15, 11:27 AM	#20
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	(First post updated) **** Chapter I – Second Samnite War (306 BC) Background In her two last wars, Rome had grown substantially. The rich region of Campania was annexed in the end of the First Samnite War (343-341 BC) and after the Latin War (340-338 BC), most of Latium fell under Roman control. Nearly twenty years after the end of the First Samnite War, Rome was looking to spark another conflict with their old enemy. Hoping to provoke a response, two Roman colonies were established on Samnite territory, one at Cales in 334 BC and one at Fregellae in 328 BC. Understandably the Samnites didn't take this too well, but were at the time involved in a conflict with the Greek colony of Tarentum and couldn't react immediately. Once this conflict ended in 331 BC, the Samnites turned to Rome for an explanation to this intrusion on their territory. Rome responded with allegations that the Samnites were encouraging the Greek people of Neapolis (modern Naples) to expand to rest of Campania, and that Rome established her colonies in response. The Samnites garrisoned the city of Neapolis in 327 BC, which threw the aristocracy of the city in panic. The elite called to Rome for help and the Roman Senate voted unanimously to send an army to Neapolis, setting off the Second Samnite War. Central Italy c.330 BC Progress Until 321 BC, the war had been going in favor of Rome, and the Samnites were forced to sue for peace. The terms of the treaty however, were unacceptable, and the Samnites decided to fought on. Later in 321 BC, the Samnites, now taking advantage of the mountainous terrain of their territory, managed to ambush the Roman army marching through a mountain pass. What is now known as the Battle of the Caudine Forks was battle in name only. There was no battle nor casualties as the Roman army was completely cut off and any resistance would have been futile. After negotiations, the Roman army was allowed to leave unharmed in exchange for a five year truce and Rome giving up the colonies of Cales and Fregellae. Hostilities began again in 316 BC as the truce expired. Initially, Rome suffered number of successive defeats, notably a crushing defeat at Lautulae in 315 BC, but from 311 BC to 307 BC, Rome won a series of victories that greatly weakened the Samnite forces. The decisive series of battles were fought in the summer and early fall of 306 BC. Quintus Rullianus, who had commanded the Roman legion during the battle of Lautulae, marched his newly formed Legio I 'Primum Pilum' towards the Samnite capital. Rather than trying to hold the capital, the Samnites met the Romans on the plains to the west of the city. The Roman forces outnumbered their enemy 3 to 1, but couldnt achieve a decisive victory. The Samnite general, Servius Cupitas, disengaged after a short battle and instead of retreating to the city, he led his forces to Campania. For over a month, the Samnite army pillaged the countryside of Campania. The much larger Roman army had great difficulties in trying to outmaneuver the Samnites and force a confrontation. It was early fall, when Rome's ally, Apulia, laid siege to the Samnite capital. Message of this was no doubt received by Servius Cupitas for he himself decided to confront the Roman army, as if it was their last act of defiance. The battle was over quickly. Rullianus attacked the enemy from three sides and rapidly broke their formation. The exact number of casualties is not known, but according to contemporary sources, the Samnite army was destroyed completely. What became of Servius Cupitas is also unknown. The Roman general marched his legion back to Samnium and sieged the capital with the Apulians. After 49 days, Bovianum, the Samnite capital surrendered, ending the Second Samnite War. Aftermath Rome benefited greatly from the war. Not only was Samnium now wholly part of the Roman Republic, Roman military also adapted the manipular formation from the Samnites. This formation was vastly more flexible compared to the hoplite formations Rome had used before. The war also necessitated for a road network to be build, so armies could be quickly moved around the Republic. Two ”highways” were built during the war, Via Appia in 312 BC and Via Valeria in 306 BC.