Sassoferrato, : Archeological Museum and Sentinum Site The (Third Samnite War) in 295 BC, near Sassoferrato (Le ) Italy from a historical standpoint was a decisive victory for the over the Samnites and Senone Gauls. “‘Samnites’ was the name given to a confederation of native Italiote tribes. They spoke the Oscan language and lived in the interior of southern‐central Italy in a region dominated by the Apennine Mountains. The Romans dubbed the region after these people. Samnium’s harsh terrain helped forge these tribesmen into some of the most hardened warriors on the Italian Peninsula.” “All Gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the Belgae inhabit, the Aquitani another, those who in their own language are called Celts, in ours Gauls, the third. All these differ from each other in language, customs and laws.” “Gaul (Latin Gallia, French Gaule) is the name given by the Romans to the territories where the CelticGauls (Latin Galli, French Gaulois) lived, including present France, Belgium, Luxemburg and parts of the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany on the west bank of the Rhine, and the Po Valley, in present Italy.” The outcome may have drastically changed history. This was a war that included a Etruscan and Umbrian coalition with the Samnites and Gauls. However, the Etruscans and Umbrians backed out of the Battle of Sentinum. They chose to return to their homes and secure their own property. This action along with military strategy gave Romans an advantage and enabled them to defeat the Samnites and the Gauls. This meant that control over both central and southern Italy would go to the Romans. The Battle involved tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides. “It was the first time that Rome had to confront such a large coalition of forces. As the Samnites and Gauls marched over the Apennine Mountains, there, they met a Roman army with 40,000 men on the plain of Sentinum. The battle of both armies facing and attacking each other lasted two days. The Samnites and Gauls had 60,000 infantry, 40,00 cavalry and 1,000 chariots. The Romans were able to overcome their enemies. The result was 25,000 enemy killed and 8,000 prisoners. The Romans lost 9,000 soldiers. The museum’s artifacts are well displayed and very educational. Besides the museum, the Agriturismo Antico Muro Archeological Park on the plane of Sentinum, just outside of Sassoferrato, is an excellent opportunity for learning more about this famous battle, the and Roman baths. The park is found in a location that also includes a B&B and restaurant. It is on the site of a former farm that includes a foundation dating back to 295 BC. The rooms, food and service are exceptional.

The Plane of Sentinum Agriturismo Antico Muro Archeological Park

Sources: Guided tour of the Sentinum archeological museum in Sassoferrato, http://www.agriturismoanticomuro.it/, http://www.the‐ romas.eu/battle‐of‐sentinum.php, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQQP3Pj2YMU, https://www.livius.org/articles/place/sentinum/, https://www.commandsandcolors.net/ancients/maps/52‐third‐samnite‐war‐298‐290‐bc/423‐ac13‐sentinum‐295‐bc.html, https://www.ancient.eu/gaul/, http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/txt/ah/livy/Livy10.html, https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Battle_of_Sentinum, http://www.fjcl.org/uploads/4/3/4/0/4340783/republic_study_guide.pdf, https://www.heritage‐history.com/index.php?c=resources&s=war‐ dir&f=wars_samnite, http://www.forumromanum.org/history/morey11.html, https://www.historyhit.com/romes‐early‐rivals‐who‐were‐the‐ samnites/, and http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/imperialism/notes/samnitewars.html. acuri.net John R. Vincenti Sassoferrato, Italy: Sentinum Archeological Museum and Sentinum Site