Samnium (Osque Safinim ) was an area of the south of the the Apennines in Italy which controlled the Samnites, a group of tribes sabelliennes of -600 with -290.

The territory of the Samnites

Samnium was delimited by Latium in north, the Lucanie in the south, the Campania in the west and the Apulie in the east. The principal ones quoted of the area was Bovaiamom (fame Bovianum Undecumanorum by the Latin and Bojano today), Malventum renamed Beneventum , Benevento today).

The capital of the samnite federation was Bovaiamom, except over one short period between the fourth century BC and third century BC, or it was located at Aquilonia destroyed by the Romans in -293. The localization of Aquilonia is dubious.

A territory a long time difficult to control for the Romans

Samnium quickly represented a major stake for the Roman power. As soon as the latter began its extension, the control of this mountainous margin became a need, need all the more strong as Samnium was a stage necessary for which wanted to go towards Italy of the south and the powerful cities of Large-Greece. In -354, the border is fixed with the Romains on the River Liri. The First war samnite put an end to the treaty. Consequently the confrontation was particularly long and difficult for Rome: it been necessary more than fifty years for Rome to subject the inhabitants of Samnium to the wire of three long wars. In -290, the victory of Rome was ensured and subjected Samnites. The area preserved a strong particularism however, but valiant the samnites could from now on be employed in the Roman armies and was to pour a tribute.

If it were cause of concern the passage of Hannibal in Italy given not finally the control of Samnium by Rome causes some. The area did not remain about it less not attached to one its traditions.

The heart of the social War

These local traditions, pride of the inhabitants of the solid mass, and their capacity of opposition réappararut abruptly at the time of the social War. At the beginning of the first century before our era the requirements of Rome towards its allies ( socii ) Italian were done more difficult to support and Rome refused any proposal of opening or a more close integration towards these allies. Exceeded those revolted and entered in war, organizing a transitory political union of the Italians centered on Samnium. Rome repressed hard these rising, a civil war devastated Italy of then -90 with -88 whose consequences were still felt at the time of the civil war against Lucius Cornelius Sylla in -82. Cities were destroyed and reduced to the state of villages, but finally the militarily demolished Italians had win and could become full Roman citizens. Samnium became part of ancient Italy unified in the Roman citizenship. Little by little its cultural characteristics were erased and the area romanisa strongly.

A cattle-rearing area

Because of its mountainous character Samnium was devoted to the breeding. Thus, under the Republic, Samnium was compels with the delivery of pigs. Under the empire a document epigraphic of Saepinum, dated from the reign of Marc Aurèle testifies to the practices to transhumances to the sheep, of the overflows which they could cause and of their control by the civils servant of the emperor.

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