THE SAMNITES
400 BC - 82 BC
 

The ancient Samnites had their homes in Samnium, located in southern Italy.

And here is the map of Samnium:

SAMNIUM IN ANCIENT ITALY
Click map to enlarge

The language of the Samnites was Oscan.

The Samnites did well until the Romans decided to conquer all of Italy. It followed the three main Samnite Wars from 343 BC - 290 BC, which the Samnites lost.

As many people in the region at the time, the Samnites were presented with the choice of either submit to Rome or to get lost. The indecisive ones died prematurely.

The chapter of the Samnites came to an end in 82 BC when Lucius Cornelius Sulla defeated them in the Battle of the Colline Gate.