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Idea for project

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Each member works on a different battle within the Samnite Wars and the Latin War
  • Ancient Roman Battles

[Samnite Wars] [Latin War]

    • This could work out well; should be sources on any number of battles, both ancient and modern. Webster Newbold (talk) 16:56, 26 October 2011 (UTC)

The Roman history section of Bracken Library is clustered around the call number DG209 So if you went there and browsed you should find several good print sources for early Roman wars and battles and explanations of their importance in the history of Rome. - Webster Newbold (talk) 19:32, 8 November 2011 (UTC)

Armies/Navies

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Battle of Vesuvius

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The battle of Vesuvius (also known as the battle of Veseris) was fought near Mount Vesuvius in B.C. 340. The battle was fought between the Romans (led by Manlius Torquatus and Decius Mus) and the Latin army. This war was made famous due to the execution of Titus Manlius Torquatus (at the hand of his father, consul Manlius Torquatus) and the self-sacrifice of Decius Mus. [1]

After Decius Mus charged into enemy lines and was slain, consul Manlius Torquatus led his veteran reserve against Latin lines and killed or captured nearly three fourths of the Latin army. The remaining soldiers of the Latin army fled but because the Roman loss was so great, they could not pursue their enemies. [2]

Leading up to the Battle

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The Latin and Campanian armies were stationed in Capua. Since the Romans saw this as a legitimate threat, they sent in both consuls to Campania to work together. [3]


During the Battle

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According to Livy, both armies arrived in the vicinity of Mount Vesuvius near the Veseris river. The consuls had ordered that no man was to leave his post to fight the enemy unless ordered to do so. However, after this order was put into motion Titus Manlius Torquatus, consul Manlius Torquatus' son, led a patrol into Latin territory and was challenged to a single combat against Geminus Maecius (a well known Tusculan warrior). T. Manlius accepted the challenge against his father's wishes and won the battle. On T. Manlius' return to camp he was arrested and then beheaded as an example of maintaining discipline. [4]

Decius Mus and Manlius Torquatus both had a dream before the final battle that the Romans would only be victorious if one of the consuls died. Decius and Manlius made a pact that which ever side of the battle opened up, then that leader would sacrifice himself in the battle. [5]

Manlius commanded that his soldiers be stationed on the right and Decius' forces on the left. Decius' wing opened and he charged into battle, immediately being killed on the front lines of the Latin army. Manlius then led his forces into battle to victory against the Latin army. [6]

Battle of Lautulae

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The Battle of Lautulae was fought in 315 BC between the Romans (led by dictator Quintus Fabius Maximus Rullianus) and the Samnites. The Samnites won this battle [7].

Preceding the Battle

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In 315 B.C., the Romans elected L. Papirius Cursor and Q. Publilius Philo as their consuls. These were the same consuls that were elected five years earlier to deal with the Caudine Crisis. [8] This same year, L Papirius Cursor went to Apulia to attack the Samnites at Luceria and Q. Publilius Philo went to Campania to attack the Samnites at Saticula. [9] Simultaneously, another Roman force, under Q. Fabius Rullianus, continued to press an attack on Satricum and on the Volscian rebels in the Liris valley.[10] This was a logical progression of the policy of southward expansion; however later it was revealed, this was a dangerous dispersal of Rome's military strength.[11]

In Apulia, Papirius Cursor laid siege to Samnite-controlled Luceria, and in the Liris valley Fabius Rullianus recovered Satricum.[12] But, in Campania, something went wrong. It was documented that a Samnite force either defeated or eluded Publilius Philo and began to more toward Latium. Fabius Rullianus was the only commander close enough who could help defend Latium. He chose to cover the inland route while the Samnites came steadily on.[13] When he reached the site of Fregellae, he was faced with the choice of either continuing onto Rome along the Trerus valley or traveling left, whereby splitting the Roman territory. He chose the latter course and this brought him against the forces of Quintus Aulius Cerretanus at Lautulae.[14]

During the Battle

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The inexperienced Roman levies were no match for the hardy Samnites and fell in a earth shattering defeat.[15] The only Roman who chose not to flee was Quintus Aulius Cerretanus. He stayed and fought the Samnites dying an honorable death.[16] The Roman territory had been split. The southern portion of Rome was inhabited by citizens who were persuaded or coerced by the Samnites to renounce the allegiance to Rome. The northern half of Rome was inhabited by citizens with full rights. However they were being advanced upon by the Samnites.[17]

In the meantime, in Rome, Rullianus and the authorities were trying to protect from the various approaches in the city. They succeeded in doing so, but it weakened the Roman forces in the Liris Valley. There the Samnites stormed across the river and captured Sora. Then, the Samnites thwarted lines of communication between Roman forces within the city and those in Apulia. This is where the Samnite success had reached its peak.[18]

Aftermath

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Because of the disaster of the previous battle (Caudine Forks) and the Battle of Lautulae, the Roman military began to reorganize and rethink their strategy.[19] The Romans had a knack for learning from their enemies, such as the Greeks, Etruscans, and Carthaginians.[20] For example, they learned how to fight with round shields from the Etruscans, and they learned how to manipulate siege craft from the Greeks.[21] What they learned from the Samnites was how to fight in maniples armed with pilums (javelins) and scutums (shields), and they later turned this against the Samnites and defeated them.[22]

Two Differing Stories of Latuluae

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There are two versions of the battle. A Roman historian ,Titus Livius i.e. "Livy" (59 BC – AD 17), wrote a main narrative of the Battle of Lautulae. This version is far more favorable to the Roman cause.[23] In this narrative, he reaccounts that the battle was indecsisive and had to be broken off because of the the oncoming of the night.[24] However, "Livy" recorded a second account where the Romans were defeated and the master of the horse was killed.[25] However, the aftermath of the battle clearly shows that the Samnites inflicted a majort defeat upon the Romans. This was shown through the widespread civil unrest and revolts among rome's Volscian, Auruncan, and Campanian allies.[26]

Capture of Neapolis:

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The Spark to the Second Samnite War

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The Romans confronted the Samnites in the middle of the Liris river valley, sparking the Second, or Great Samnite War (326-304 BC),[1] which lasted twenty years. [27]. In 328 the Romans, clearly looking for another fight with the Samnium, established a colony at Fregellae on the Liris and another Cales, earlier in 334 BC, the Samnites, of course found this to be an unacceptable intrusion by Rome, but were too pre-occupied to respond at the time.[28] The Samnites had to wait until after they finished their conflict with the Greek colony of Tarentum and its ally, King Alexander of Eprius. [29]

Tensions Leading to the Capture

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Having used the Samnites to help subdue the Latin’s in the recent war, the Romans thereafter ignored the alliance that they had with the Samnites. The Samnites did not originally see the Roman annexation of Northern Campania as a hostile act.[30] The indifference the Samnites were showing was due to the preoccupation of the Samnites with a war against the Tarentines, who were supported by an able ally, Alexander, King of the Molossians in northern Greece. The Samnites felt the presence of the Roman leaders (Cales and Fregellae) to be extremely offensive. [31]

The Battle

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Faced with un-specific demands for help, the Romans failed in capturing the city by means of blockade or assault, thus they used the only other availble option:treachery. The city was shifting, they no long sided with the Samnites instead favoring the Roman cause hatched a plot with the Romans to allow their forces into the town under the cover of night. [32]When night came of the agreed upon day arrived, the Samnites issued onto the shoreline awaited the promised ships.While they milled about on the dark shore in confusion, a Roman force was let in through a postern[33] . Once the gates were opened, the calamity that comes with battle started. Neapolis fell to Rome. The city was handled with positively for switching sides during the war. The end of this conflict casued a shift inlandand, away from the tyrrhenian coast towards the inland calleys and the eastern littoral. [34]

Battle of Mount Gaurus

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The Battle of Mount Gaurus, 343 B.C., was the first battle of the First Samnite Wars. It was fought between the ancient Romans and the Samnites.[35] The battle was very interesting at the time, because Valerius Corvus achieved victory, and it was considered one of the most noteworthy battles of its time.[36]

Preceding the Battle

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Before the Samnite War started, the Samnites attacked Sidicini. The northern Campanian league then led an attack against the Samnites but lost two battles: one in Sidicini and one in Capua. Rome decided to aid the Campanians and they eventually led 343 armies against the Samnites.[37]

The Battle

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Valerius Corvus led an army into Campania and from there he led the army to Mount Gaurus. A full-scale battled ensued between the Roman army and the Samnites after a couple days of skirmishes.

At first the battle looked bleak for the Roman army. Both infantries clashed, but neither side proved the upper hand. Valerius then ordered a cavalry charge in attempt to break the Samnite lines. The charge failed and the Roman cavalry then had to retreat from the Samnite lines.

After the Roman cavalry retreated, Valerius then decided to lead an infantry assualt into the Samnite lines which, once again, failed to break the lines. Eventually the Samnites fell back when the evening approached. The night after the battle, the Samnites left their camps and the area completely.[38]


After the Battle

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After the battle, the Romans occupied the former Samnite camps. The casualties are unknown for this battle, but it was believed to be low since the Samnites formed a new army in Campania in the same year.[39] Also after the victory, Rome sent a golden crown to the Carthaginians for the shrine of Jupiter in the capital.[40] A treaty of friendship was renewed between the Romans and Carthaginians five years before the First Samnite Wars, but Rome would wage war with the Carthaginians shortly after the Samnite Wars.[41]

References

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  1. ^ Rikard, J. "Battle of Veseris, 340 BC". Retrieved 11/14/11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ "Heritage History: Samnite Wars". Retrieved 11/14/11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ^ Rikard, J. "Battle of Veseris, 340 BC". Retrieved 11/14/11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. ^ Rikard, J. "Battle of Veseris, 340 BC". Retrieved 11/14/11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  5. ^ "Heritage History: Samnite Wars". Retrieved 11/14/11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  6. ^ Rikard, J. "Battle of Veseris, 340 BC". Retrieved 11/14/11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ Rickard, J. "Battle of Lautulae, 315 BC". Retrieved 11/13/2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  8. ^ Salmon, E.T. (1967). Samnium and the Samnites. Cambridge University Press. pp. 234–36. ISBN 9780521061858.
  9. ^ Salmon, E.T. (1967). Samnium and the Samnites. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 234–36. ISBN ISBN 9780521061858. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  10. ^ Salmon, E.T. (1967). Samnium and the Samnites. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 234–36. ISBN ISBN 9780521061858. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  11. ^ Salmon, E.T. (1967). Samnium and the Samnites. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 234–36. ISBN ISBN 9780521061858. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  12. ^ Salmon, E.T. (1967). Samnium and the Samnites. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 234–36. ISBN ISBN 9780521061858. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  13. ^ Salmon, E.T. (1967). Samnium and the Samnites. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 234–36. ISBN ISBN 9780521061858. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  14. ^ Salmon, E.T. (1967). Samnium and the Samnites. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 234–36. ISBN ISBN 9780521061858. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  15. ^ Salmon, E.T. (1967). Samnium and the Samnites. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 234–36. ISBN ISBN 9780521061858. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  16. ^ Salmon, E.T. (1967). Samnium and the Samnites. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 234–36. ISBN ISBN 9780521061858. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  17. ^ Salmon, E.T. (1967). Samnium and the Samnites. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 234–36. ISBN ISBN 9780521061858. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  18. ^ Salmon, E.T. (1967). Samnium and the Samnites. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 234–36. ISBN ISBN 9780521061858. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  19. ^ Forsythe, Gary (2005). A Critical History of Early Rome. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 305. ISBN 0520226518.
  20. ^ Forsythe, Gary (2005). A Critical History of Early Rome. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 305. ISBN 0520226518.
  21. ^ Forsythe, Gary (2005). A Critical History of Early Rome. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 305. ISBN 0520226518.
  22. ^ Forsythe, Gary (2005). A Critical History of Early Rome. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 305. ISBN 0520226518.
  23. ^ Forsythe, Gary (2005). A Critical History of Early Rome. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 301–304. ISBN 0520226518.
  24. ^ Forsythe, Gary (2005). A Critical History of Early Rome. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 301–304. ISBN 0520226518.
  25. ^ Forsythe, Gary (2005). A Critical History of Early Rome. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 301–304. ISBN 0520226518.
  26. ^ Forsythe, Gary (2005). A Critical History of Early Rome. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 301–304. ISBN 0520226518.
  27. ^ Davis, Gordon. [www.frace.grajewo.pl/p-Second_Samnite_War "The Second Samnite War"]. France. Retrieved 22 November 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  28. ^ Heaton, C. [www.urv.com/empire/second-samnite-war.php "Second Samnite War"]. UNRV publisher. Retrieved 22 November 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  29. ^ "Second Samnite War". UNRV History. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  30. ^ Daviscles, Gorodn. [www.militaryhistoryonline.com/ancient/articles/secondsamnite.aspx "327 BC- The War Begins"]. The Second Samnite War:Phase 1. Retrieved 22 November 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  31. ^ Davis, Gordon. "The Second Samnite War: Phase 1". Retrieved 11/8/11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  32. ^ Davis, Gordon. [www.militaryhistoryonline.com/ancient/articles/secondsamnitewar.aspx "326 BC: The Fall of Neapolis"]. The Second Samnite War: Phase 1. Retrieved 22 November 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  33. ^ Davis, Gordon. [www.militaryhistoryonline.com/ancient/articles/secondsamnitewar.aspx "326 BC: The Fall of Neapolis"]. The Second Samnite War: Phase 1. Retrieved 22 November 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  34. ^ Davis, Gordon. [www.militaryhistoryonline.com/ancient/articles/secondsamnitewar.aspx "326 BC: The Fall of Neapolis"]. The Second Samnite War: Phase 1. Retrieved 22 November 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  35. ^ Rickard, J. "Battle of Mount Gaurus". Retrieved 11-15-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  36. ^ Gilman, Arthur. "The Story of Rome from the Earliest Times to the End of the Republic". Retrieved 11-15-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  37. ^ Rickard, J. "Battle of Mount Gaurus". Retrieved 11-16-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  38. ^ Rickard, J. "Battle of Mount Gaurus".
  39. ^ Rickard, J. "Battle of Mount Gaurus". Retrieved 11-15-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  40. ^ Gilman, Arthur. "The Story of Rome from the Earliest Times to the End of the Republic". Retrieved 11-15-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  41. ^ Gilman, Arthur. "The Story of Rome from the Earliest Times to the End of the Republic". Retrieved 11-15-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)

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References (Unofficial)

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-http://www.heritage-history.com/www/heritage.php?Dir=wars&FileName=wars_samnite.php

-http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_veseris.html



  1. ^ Rickard, J. [Rickard, J (16 November 2009), Battle of Mount Gaurus, 343 B.C. "Battle of Mount Gaurus"]. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
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