Mercenary Samnite Hoplites
Spearmen Infantry(0.6.7)Side / Back
Short description
Samnite warriors were fast moving and accomplished ambushers, yet were also capable of fighting in open battle with spear and shield.
Description
Samnite warriors were fast moving and accomplished ambushers, yet were also capable of fighting in open battle with spear and shield.
The fighting style of the Samnites included the panoply of the Italian-style scutum shield, swords, throwing spears, together with fighting in flexible cohort-style formations 400 strong - all of which greatly influenced the Romans themselves. These warriors, however, adopt the heavy infantry hoplite tactic instead, to great results. The initial charge of the Samnites was difficult to withstand (Livy, 10.28.3; Frontius, Strat. 2.1.8).
They had a very high military reputation, and seem to have been the Italian nation whose warlike qualities the Romans most feared. Livy calls them warlike, brave and stubborn, fighting with "more courage than hope", even in the face of defeat.
The Samnites were the largest and most important and formidable Oscan nation of Italy. They were themselves comprised of four tribes - the Pentri, Caudini, Hirpini and Caraceni. The Samnites inhabited the southern reaches of the Apennine Mountains, and were a pastoralist hill-peoples.
They possessed a strong warrior tradition. The number of hillforts in Samnium is testimony to the predatory warfare which was conducted by them; urbanisation in pre-Roman Samnium is limited. When desperate the Samnites swore a lex sacrata similar to the oath sworn by the Spanish defenders at Astapa, and formed an elite linen legion (legio linteata) 16,000 strong which appeared to be an elite force under an oath (Lex Sacrata: Livy, 9.12.8; 9.43.1; 10.38.11; compare with Astapa: 28.22; Linen Legion: Livy, 9.40.9; Pliny HN 34.43; Festus, p. 102L). Servius also implies that they forced their prisoners into single combats, and some gladiators were known as 'Samnites', possibly because of their arms, but, more likely, because of a pre-disposition among Oscan warriors to engage in duels (Servius, ad. Aen. 10.519).
The Samnites fought a series of wars with Rome from 343-272 BC, and were by far Rome's most formidable Italian enemy. Samnite strength was largely broken by 290 BC, although they joined King Pyrrhus during 280-272 BC, and launched a final rebellion in 269 BC. The Caudini and Hirpini joined Hannibal after Cannae in the Second Punic War (218-202 BC), while the Pentri remained loyal to Rome, and are reported in her armies (Livy, 22.13.11; 22.61.10). Silius Italicus calls the Samnites 'enthusiastic rebels' (11.8). It is likely that the Samnites had not become soldiers in the service of the Roman state but, at best, had become soldiers for their own tribes, whose self-interest happened to be based on seeming to acquiesce in the policies of their powerful 'ally'.
The Samnites had few cavalry, and no specialist light infantry, but the Samnite equipment made them effective 'dual-purpose' infantry, able to alternatively skirmish and form a battle line. Samnium's wooded mountains bred tough warriors who were enthusiastic raiders of their lowland neighbours, such as the Tarentines and Campanians. From the fifth century BC many Oscan warriors - including Samnites - were commonly found in Italy as mercenaries and freebooters.