Even as the Second Samnite War was winding down in 304 BC, both the Samnites and the Romans were maneuvering diplomatically, attempting to strengthen their strategic position vis-à-vis each other.  There were also infrastructure moves—building of a consular road along the northern tier of Samnium, the planting of colonies in or near newly won territory—made by the Romans.

By 304-301 BC, the Romans had consolidated defensive alliances with the Marci, Paeligni, Marrucini, Frentani and Vestini. This cordon sanitaire separated the Samnites from potential allies like the Etruscans, the Umbrians and the Gauls in the north.

At the same time the Romans absorbed Aeqium into the Roman body politic and the Aequi ceased to exist as an independent people. This completed the northwestern piece of the cordon sanitaire, isolating Samnium across the northern tier of the Italian peninsula (from the Western Tyrrhenian coast to the Eastern Adriatic coast).

But the Romans weren’t done. They provoked a fight with the Umbrian city of Nequinum, took it, and converted it into a Roman colony called Narnia in 299 BC. About this time, the Gauls, accompanied by a noticeable number of Etruscans, raided Latin territories. The Romans responded by devastating Etruscan lands. The Etruscans made no response which suggests that they didn’t feel strong enough to do so.

The Lucanians, an Oscan-speaking people who lived along the southern border of Samnium, were at war with Taras (Tarentum), which had hired a Spartan mercenary general to lead its army. The Spartan eventually left Italy. The Lucanians were then attacked by the Samnites.

The Lucanians, who were divided between pro-Roman and pro-Samnite factions, invited the Romans to join them in a defensive alliance. The Romans accepted and this put them into direct conflict with the Samnites. So began the third Samnite war.

Nothing of consequence happened in this year. No major battles were fought and no major cities were taken.

The Roman Senate grew impatient with the inaction. Consequently, two consuls were given proconsular power and kept their commands; Fabius Rullianus in the Liris valley and Decius Mus in Apulia.

Decius Mus was mostly active in the area east of Venusia. We don’t hear anything specific about Rullianus at this point. In the north, Gellius Egnatius, a Samnite commander, attempted to join the Etruscans, Umbrians and Gauls in an alliance against Rome. He broke out of Samnium into Etruria. The Romans, surprised by Egnatius’ move, called an emergency mass levy for the defense of Rome. They also brought up forces from northern Campania. This allowed another Samnite army to descend upon Falernian and Auruncan lands, plundering and wreaking havoc. However, the Proconsul Rullianus was able to force the invaders back and stabilize the situation.

The Romans were prepared for a big push in 295 BC, so they kept their commanders and their armies in the field that winter.

While the Senate was preparing for a big push in the north, Rome was struck by plague. The outbreak lasted through 292 BC and must have significantly impaired the Roman ability to levy troops for what was a very serious challenge in the north.

The following Commanders were elected or appointed for 295 BC

1. Publius Decius Mus (consul)
2. Quintus Fabius Rullianus (consul)
3. L. Volumnius Flamma (proconsul)
4. Appius Claudius Caecus (praetor)
5. L. Cornelius Scipio Barbatus (propraetor)
6. Cnaius Fulvius Maximus Centumalus (propraetor)
7. Postumius Megellus (propraetor)

After their victory at Sentinum, the Romans engaged in a holding action against the Samnites and proceeded to consolidate their gains in the north. They accepted the submission of the Umbrians and defeated the Etruscans. So the northern tier of Italy was neutralized. Unfortunately, elsewhere, Roman arms suffered a reverse; in the east near Luceria and in the west in the Liris basin. However, the presence of Roman colonies at Sora and Interamna Lirenas, prevented a Samnite breakthrough into northern Campania.

A Samnite levy for this campaigning season also included the outfitting of an elite corps called the Linen Legion. The Samnite effort would be in the northwest, with forces based on the fortresses of Cominium and Aquilonia.  The Romans had consular armies depart from the Roman colonies of Interamna Lirenas and possibly Teanum Sidicum. The Roman armies plundered Samnite territory and took some small towns until they arrived at Cominium and Aquilonia, two fortresses that were 20 miles apart. The two commanders agreed to attack those fortresses on the same day. The Samnite force at Cominium was tied down by the Roman attack. The Linen Legion was cut to pieces at Aquilonia. The Roman commanders of these two armies, Papirius Cursor and Carvilius Maximus were awarded triumphs. This double Samnite defeat left vulnerable the western frontier of Samnium. The Romans were quick to exploit their advantage. They took Saepinum as well as Velia, Herculaneum and Palumbinum.

In this campaign the Caudini (a major Samnite tribe) were knocked out of the war.

The Pentri and Hirpini (two other major Samnite tribes) are defeated.

Military operations in Samnium are wound up.  The Samnites sign a treaty with Rome.

“By becoming allies of Rome the Samnites were obliged henceforth to accept foreign policy imposed on her, to supply troops on demand, and to abstain from acts of violence against their neighbors.”