The History of Rome posts
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019- Prelude to the First Punic War
It was inevitable that the Romans and Cartheginians would run into each other one day.
018- A History of Rome Christmas
Many of the traditions that surround modern Christmas have their roots in Saturnalia and the Feast of Sol Invictus.
017- Pyrrhic Victories
The Greek cities of southern Italy called on King Pyrrhus of Epirus to protect them from Roman encroachment. Though Pyrrhus was undefeated in battle, his victories were so costly that he was forced to withdraw from Italy in 275 BC, leaving Rome in control of Magna Graecia.
016- The Third Samnite War
Rome battled a combined army of Samnites, Etruscans, Umbrians and Gauls for control of Italy. At Sentinum, the two sides fought the largest battle in Italian history up to that point.
015b- The Second Samnite War
After a five year break, hostilities resumed between the Romans and Samnites. Despite early setbacks, Rome eventually emerged victorious in 304 BC. During these years a controversial politician, Appius Claudius, initiated a series of ambitious public works projects that advanced Roman civilization.
015a- The Second Samnite War
After a decade of peace, the Romans and Samnites returned to war. The early years of fighting went well for Rome, but in 321 BC they were handed a humiliating defeat at Caudine Forks.
014b- A Phalanx With Joints
The Roman army abandoned the Greek phalanx in favor of a new system based on a three line deployment organized by age and experience.
014a- A Phalanx With Joints
For hundreds of years the Roman Army used the Greek phalanx, but during the Samnite Wars they were forced to develop a new distinctly Roman system.
013- The Latin War
The Romans fought a final war against their Latin neighbors from 340-338 BC. The Romans won a decisive victory and the Latin League was abolished once and for all.
012- The First Samnite War
From 343-341 BC Rome fought a brief war against the Samnites, a powerful hill tribe who would plague the Romans for the rest of the century. The Romans won an inconclusive victory, but the war was only the opening salvo in a long running struggle between the two peoples.
