Samnites
The Samnites were a warlike mountain race put up Italy's fiercest resistance to the onslaught of Rome. The Samnites belonged to the Umbro-Sabellian race, a group from the eastern central region of the Italian peninsula who spoke Oscan. The Samnites originally lived in the south of the region in hill-forts and agricultural villages. They worshipped at rural sanctuaries and likely held assemblies where leaders and officials were chosen from the wealthy elite.
| Seizing Campania | ~400 BC | The Samnites put an end to Etruscan colonization in Campania, and Samnite tribes poured into the south-western coastal plains of Campania, Basilicata and into Calabria. Possession of Campania gave the Samnites a base for activities against Rome. |
|---|---|---|
| Seizing Capua | 423 BC | Samnites seized power in the Etruscan Capua. |
| Seizing Cuma | 423 BC | Samnites seized power in the Greek colony of Cuma. |
| Seizing Posidonia | 421/20 BC | Samnites seized power in the Greek colony of Posidonia. |
| First Samnite War | 343-290 BC | |
| Social War | 90-88 BC | Samnites led an attack on Rome in the Social War. |
| Civil Wars | 82 BC | The brutal slaughter of Samnites during the Civil Wars effectively eliminated them from further political or military activity. |