The Second Samnite War

Roman citizenship was extended in its various gradiant forms to tribes across the peninsula, who recognized more and more that their future prosperity would be determined by their relationship with rome. As many as fought simply quiesced and welcomed the romans with open arms. After ten years of peace, they realized that any treaty with rome meant effectively an end to their independence forever. In a last desperate play for general italian independence, the samnites organized and led a coalition that included the etruscans, the umbrians and even the gauls against roman power. Next week, we will cover the resulting conflict, known as the third samnite war.