Any member of an ancient warlike tribe of the mountainous centre of southern Italy. The Samnites were probably related to the
Sabines. Originally allies of Rome against the Gauls (354
BC), they later fought three wars against the Romans (343 – 341, 316 – 304, 298 – 290). Though defeated, the Samnites later helped
Pyrrhus and
Hannibal in their wars against Rome. They also fought in the
Social War and unsuccessfully took part in the civil war against
Sulla (82
BC).
For more information on Samnite, visit Britannica.com.