assisted by the Gauls, who were showing themselves more than a match
for the part of the Roman army opposed to them, and commanded by
Decius. Following the example of his illustrious father, the Consul
vowed his life to the Infernal Gods if victory were granted, and,
rushing into the midst of the enemy, was slain. [Footnote: It is said
that the father of Decius acted in a similar manner in a battle of the
Latin war.] His soldiers, rendered enthusiastic by his example,
rallied and pushed back the Gauls. The victory was now complete, for
the Samnites were already fleeing before that part of the army which
was under Fabius.

The war dragged on for five years, when the Consul MANIUS CURIUS
DENTÁTUS finally crushed the Samnites, and also the SABINES, who had
recently joined them. The Samnites were allowed their independence,
and became allies of Rome. The Sabines were made Roman citizens
(_sine suffragio_), and their territory was annexed to the
_Ager Románus_. This territory now reached across Italy from the
Tuscan to the Adriatic Sea, separating the Samnites and other nations
on the south from the Umbrians, Gauls, and Etruscans on the north.

In 283, at Lake Vadimónis, the Romans defeated the Senonian and Boian
Gauls, and founded the military colony of SENA GALLICA.




CHAPTER X.

WARS WITH PYRRHUS (281-272).