Who Were the Samnites? Rome's Last Italian Enemy? (Rome and Romans)

The Samnites were not as famous as say the Gauls or the Etruscans. However, they were no less of a frightening enemy for the Roman Republic. Clad in Greek armor and efficient in both the phalanx and maniple system, they were a force to be reckoned with. Their ancient origins with the Sabine peoples meant that their history was intertwined with that of Rome itself. Their mountainous homeland of Samnium was a venerable fortress that protected them for centuries. In the end however, Rome was simply too hungry for land and population and conflict between the two great peoples could not be avoided. This would culminate in the three Samnite Wars. Wars that would change the course of Roman and world history. But who were the Samnites? How did they split off from the Sabines? And how were they meant to fight the Roman Republic? Let's talk about it.

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#Rome #RomanHistory #Etruscan #Etruscans #ancient #ancienthistory #italy #italianhistory #mediterranean #war #ancientwar #battle #Samnite #Samnites #Roman #romanrepublic #IdiotTalksHistory

0:00 - Intro
0:46 - Where did the Samnites Start?
3:18 - The Ver Sacrum
7:13 - The Samnite League/Samnite Government
9:00 - Samnite Expansion
10:47 - Samnite Military
13:22 - Outro

[TylerSolvestri]

Underrated videos, the Algorithm worked on mysterious ways to bring me here

[Thebestman-fj]

Please make a video on the history of every Italic tribe.

[Mrnewkrakbo]

Keep going man, your videos are not what YouTube deserves, they are what it needs

[reneemarie]

My genealogy puts my family right in this area until 1908 when they immigrated to the States. I really enjoyed this video.

[probabilmente_paolo]

great video, cool to hear familiar names in 2500 years old history: like the place of the tribe of the Hirpines is still called Irpinia or like Bovianum is now Bojano

[g_rec_attempt]

Amazing work and great Video! Please keep it up. I regularly watch history videos about the various italic peoples. And there is always more to learn.

[AceOnBase]

Excellent! I LOVE this niche pre history stuff. Its so mysterious. Imagine going and visiting samnium for a day…

[tonitemperance]

I'm an Irpini and our name means wolf, if you visit Irpinia, you'll hear and see many wolves, hence the wolf being it's guide. Visit Benevento and see more amazing relics ❤

[etherealdragon]

My mom's Italian grandfather was from Molise, so his people were Samnite.

[antoniofarinaccio]

There are many sites that have not been excavated yet, Boyano, for once considered the capital. Near by recently, Monte Vairano inside the megalithic walls that runs for 3 km. recent excavation have brought to light streets, sidewalks, homes and objects found no sight from other parts of the Mediterranean basin. Puts in to question of been a tribe people. One sight above all distinguishes it self for its temples, theater with the first 3 rows seats in monolete stone with a anatomical back, the sites include a recently excavated "Domus Publica" residence of the high state priest, the town name is Pietrabondante. Many more sights still to excavates.

[foolishmortal]

To give an idea of exactly how formidable the Semnites were, Romans considered their defeat at "Coldine Forks" to the Semnites "more embarrassing" then their loss at Cannae to Hannibal... Because at Coldine Forks, The Romans lost that battle... Without even fighting..., tricked, Completely surrounded, had to leave without their weapons, had to pass under the yoke, (the worst kind of act of submission).... Cause of that embarrassing loss, that's how we got the manipular legions that conquered the Mediterranean

[kaarlimakela]

Vici - vicinity. I love when I see these connections jump out!

[freedombro]

I was looking for a video like this a couple of days ago but couldn't find it.
The algorithm did us right here, great history here .
Ver sanctum sounds messed up 😅

[domenicogaldo]

My Parents came from Avellino to the UK in the 50's. Avellino's soccer team are known as 'I Lupi' and the area known as Irpinia. I am proud of my Irpinian ancestors.

[matthew_thefallen]

Great video! My frandparents are from the land of the Samnites, precisely right near the Forche Caudine. Their legend is still strong and the area is called Valle del Sannio. We have great wine and food there 😅 (of course).

[mrk]

on your map at 0:50 Calabria is marked at the heel of the boot, but it is actually at the toes. Is that an error or did it change?

[hesamvalizadeh]

Not many documents and videos are about atalic tribies before rome been created .thank you

[tonytony]

Very good take on this mysterious people. One question: Do you think the present-day population of the area (particularly Molise, southern Abruzzo, and the Benevento Province) are actual descendents of the Samnites, or did the Romans eventually wipe out the Samnites for being such bitter resisters of Rome?

[johnwiles]

Regarding the Samnite weaponry and armor, did they import them from the Greeks or others, or did they have indigenous metallurgical skills?

[sapperRE]

Very good video, I am grateful for this education.