Samnites_Eng
"Historical Notes
From notes written by Mario Gramegna
Origins of the Samnites
The region began to emerge from prehistory when some youths, expelled from Sabina to reduce population numbers, settled there, gradually merging with the indigenous people. Over the centuries, an autonomous and strong lineage emerged, rivaling Rome in struggles for dominance, only to be subdued by Rome after a bloody and tenacious conflict.
The term 'aborigines' refers to the primitive inhabitants of a country.
These were the Samnites (from the Oscan word "Samnu," meaning "consecrated" to Mars, the god of war, and expelled from their homeland during the sacred spring or the first true season of life).
Ancient Samnium covered a vast area, from the Adriatic Sea (Ortona) to the Fortore River, including Daunia (Puglia), Lucania, from Campania to Lazio, bordering the Marsi, Peligni, and Marrucini (then residing in present-day Abruzzo).
It was composed of various lineages, with a prevalence of those of Oscan origin, forming a confederation (Caraceni, Caudini, Irpini, Pentri, and Frentani) for mutual defense against the oppression and greed of neighboring populations, especially Rome. We will briefly focus only on the Pentri and Frentani, the lineages of our distant ancestors.
The Pentri had "Bovianum" as their capital, believed by some scholars to correspond to present-day Bolano, while others propose another city near Pietrabbondante (a more probable hypothesis) or Duronia. Other important cities of Pentra origin were Isernia (Aesernia), Sepino (Saepinum), Trivento, Aquilonia (?), S. Pietro Avellana (Volana), and perhaps Duronia.
The Frentani, on the other hand, were the Samnites of the Adriatic coast, with significant centers for trade and military power such as Termoli (Interamnia), Cliternia (between Portocannone and Campomarino), Larino, Gerionum (in the territory of Casacalenda), and Kale, the present-day Casacalenda.
But how many were the Frentani and Pentri cities? The ones mentioned have such origins, according to the unanimous opinion of scholars. Still, who can say or prove where Frentanum (near Limosano?), Velia, Celenina, Meronia, Barulo, Erdonia, Romulea, and the famous Comino once stood?
However, it is certain that Samnium soon found itself in rivalry with Rome because the Samnites, both colonizers and desiring dominion, envied Roman power. In contrast, the Romans, rough and warlike, could not tolerate that the more civilized and advanced Samnites might one day challenge their imperialistic ambitions.
In 340 B.C., the conflict finally erupted: the Samnites launched a military expedition against Teano, seeking help from Capua, which, in turn, appealed to Rome.
The future 'capital of the world' hesitated but ultimately gave in to fulfill its ancient dream of greatness. Rome pretended to intervene with the Samnites to diplomatically resolve the conflict, but the Samnites responded with an immediate resumption of military operations. For the Samnites, Capua represented the conquest of the Tyrrhenian coast, while for the Romans, it meant avoiding the Samnite barrier and making the first major step towards Southern Italy.
The more determined and militarily stronger Romans occupied Capua and forced the Samnites to desist. The Samnites yielded, hoping for revenge (after ten years!), encouraged by a noble and powerful man, Brutolo Papio.
But fate was not favorable to the Samnites once again, as they faced another humiliating defeat, for which Brutolo Papio himself was blamed.
The Defeat of the Samnites
However, the Samnites were already preparing for an enterprise that would end in ignominy (for the Romans) at the Caudine Forks. At that time, the supreme commander was Gaius Pontius, son of Erinnius, who, using a clever stratagem, spread the rumor that he was besieging Lucera. Instead, he lay in ambush in the Arpaia Valley with two Roman legions, totaling over ten thousand men, encircling them. He could have massacred them all but showed a form of generosity by sparing the Romans' lives, making them pass under the yoke at the valley's entrance, bent and on the way back. Could Gaius Pontius have devised a greater ignominy against the proud Romans! A few years later, however, Rome avenged the defeat by looting Bovianum Vetus, then Murgantia (Morcone), Romulea (?), and Trivento; other cities suffered the same fate. The Samnites did not surrender, led as always by the indomitable Gaius Pontius, who eventually fell into the hands of the Romans. Forgetful that he had let the consuls go free as part of the Caudine Peace and remembering only the humiliation of the Forks.
The Samnite hero, once offered as a target for the ridicule of fanatical crowds, was beheaded in the circus.
It took seventy years for Samnium to be finally subdued!
The cities of Samnium, once flourishing in trade, illustrious in letters and arms, were now a heap of ruins. The survivors of the struggle took refuge in the countryside and forests, wandering and miserable like their Sabine ancestors.
Curiosities
Before gladiatorial shows took place in Rome's amphitheaters, they occurred in Samnite amphitheaters (famous ones in Boiano and Larino!). In fact, these were built over 350 years before the Colosseum. However, they did not give up because other events awaited them, with the Samnites always proud and indomitable. We are now nearing the end: in 89 B.C., the Italian League was formed in Marsica, joined by the Samnites.
The Roman Senate, with diplomatic skill, enacted a law extending citizenship to allied Italian nations. Many nations withdrew their soldiers from the league's army.
Only the Samnites, Marsi, and Lucani remained.
Silla, becoming consul in 87 B.C., after a prodigious career, faced the federal army in Samnium, led by two valiant captains, Lamponius and Pontius.
Although the beginning of the battle hinted at the victory of the league's army.
Silla prevailed and ordered the killing of six thousand federates, mostly Samnites.
It is said that the lamentations of so many unhappy people drew the attention of the senators gathered in assembly. Still, Silla urged them not to be distracted from their work, as these were rebellious individuals punished!
Thus, Samnium, definitively subdued, became a Roman province after resisting for over two and a half centuries.
Subsequently, the historical events of the region merged with Roman civilization and the events that characterized it, as thousands of Roman settlers came to ancient Samnium, bringing customs, traditions, and ways of life with them."