Conquest of Italy II

Samnites

• Oscan tribes in s. Apennines
• 3 Samnite Wars
  Major wars:
  • 326-304 (Great Samn. War)
  • 298-290
• Major Roman defeat at Caudine Forks (321)
  • Makes Romans sign truce, but they're soon back at war
• In 300s, Etruscans, Umbrians join in
  • Too little, too late
  • Soon give in
• Etruscans not annexed
  • Too foreign
• Umbrians not annexed
  • Provide major contingents to Roman armies
  
• Samnites decisively at Sentinum, 295
• Roman expansion into Campania
  • Some direct annexation
  • Some communities forced to sign treaties with Rome

Greeks

• Under pressure from native elements (Samnites)
• Threatened by Roman victory over Samnites
• Call in Pyrrhus, 281
  • King of Epirus seeking glory like Alexander
• Pyrric victories
  • Pyrrhus' troops tactically superior at first
    • War elephants
  • Romans able to make good losses, won't give in
• Pyrrhus abandons Italy in 275

Roman Expansion

• Annexation of communities most similar to Romans in culture, language
• Latins communities closest to Romans
  • Closest in status to Romans
  • Latins can vote to a limited extent when in Rome
• More alien communities bound by treaties
  • Bound to act in Rome's interest
  • Must provide troops

Colonies

• Independent communities with own mags.
• Latin rights
  • Colonies of Roman citizens not important
  • After dissolution of Latin League most Latin comms. are colonies
• Permanent Roman presence in hostile territory
• Spread Roman lang., culture in Italy
  • Unintended result

Roman control of Italy

• Complete by ca. 270
• Solid block of Roman territory in cent. Italy
• Rest of Italy bound to Rome by treaties
• Roman finesse means most people are generally content
  • Left to run internal affairs as they see fit
    • So long as this doesn't conflict with Roman interests
    • Oligarchic govs. like Rome's
• Control of Italy gives Romans huge manpower reserves
  • Italian comms. have no control over use of their military
  • Italian troops do share in Roman victories

Warlike Romans?

• Rom. political system ensures regular succession of (more or less) competent commanders
• Roman magistrates won glory/electoral support from victory
• Victory gave wealth to magistrates, troops
• Romans probably not more warlike, violent than others
• Are more organized, efficient
  • Note wars halt in 360s when Romans distracted by internal discord, resume after discord settled

WSJ