The First, Second, and Third Samnite wars, between the early Roman Republic and the tribes of Samnium, extend over half a century, involving almost all the states of Italy, and end in Roman domination of the Samnites.

The tribes of Samnium, who hold the Apennines to the southeast of Latium, ae Rome's most formidable rivals.For centuries, the Sabellian highlanders of the Apennines had struggled to force their way into the plains between the hills and the Mediterranean.

But Etruscans and Latins had held them in check, and for the past hundred years the direction of their expansion has been not on Latium but east and south-east.

They have begun to stream into Campania where they have become accustomed to a more civilized life, and in turn have become less warlike and ill-fitted to cope with their kinsmen of the hills.

The most powerful group of the highlanders, the confederated Samnites, are now, in the middle of the fourth century, swarming down upon their civilized precursors in Campania, as, farther east and south, Lucanians and Bruttians are pressing upon the Greek colonies of Magna Gracia.

The Samnite warrior-herdsmen from nearby hills wish to use the grasslands of the plains for their animals — lands that the plains people have fenced.

In effec,t the semi-civilized are hammering the over-civilized.

The Greeks are appealing for help to Epirus; those on the plains — the Campanians — appeal to Rome and Rome comes to their rescue.

Roman envoys go to leaders among the hill people for discussions and are rudely treated.

War between Rome and the Samnite hill people follows — the First Samnite War.