had, independently of each other, been waging war upon the Volsci. The
Samnites went so far as to attack Teánum, a city of Northern Campania,
which appealed to Capua for aid. The Samnites at once appeared before
Capua, and she, unable to defend herself, asked aid of Rome.

Alarmed at the advances of the Samnites, Rome only awaited an excuse
to break her treaty. This was furnished by the Capuans surrendering
their city unconditionally to Rome, so that, in attacking the
Samnites, she would simply be defending her subjects.

Thus began the SAMNITE WARS, which lasted for over half a century with
varying success, and which were interrupted by two truces. It is usual
to divide them into three parts, the First, Second, and Third Samnite
Wars.


THE FIRST SAMNITE WAR (343-341).

The accounts of this war are so uncertain and confused that no clear
idea of its details can be given. It resulted in no material advantage
to either side, except that Rome retained Capua and made it a
_municipium_, annexing its territory to her own.


THE LATIN WAR (340-338).

The cities of the LATIN CONFEDERACY had been for a long time looking with
jealous eyes upon the rapid progress of Rome. Their own rights
had been disregarded, and they felt that they must now make a stand or
lose everything. They sent to Rome a proposition that one of the