Quick Facts
- Latin:
- Furculae Caudinae
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Caudine Forks
mountain pass, Italy
Also known as: Furculae Caudinae
Caudine Forks, narrow mountain pass near Beneventum in ancient Samnium (near modern Montesarchio, Campania, southern Italy). In the Battle of Caudine Forks the Samnites under Gavius Pontius defeated and captured a Roman army in 321 bc, during the Second Samnite War. The Roman army surrendered, and acknowledged that they had been defeated by passing under a “yoke” of Samnite spears, a unique disgrace.
Discover the fascinating events that shaped the world, straight from our editors.
By clicking “Sign Up”, you consent to the Britannica
Privacy Policy
and
Terms of Use.