Britannica Sources used in this answer

When did Pompeii become an ally of Rome?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ruins of ancient Pompeii with stone columns and walls in the foreground, and Mount Vesuvius rising in the background under a partly cloudy sky. — Pompeii Mount Vesuvius rising up over the ruins of the ancient Roman city Pompeii.

Pompeii became an ally of Rome at the conclusion of the Samnite Wars, when the region of Campania was incorporated into the Roman confederation.1

While Pompeii is first mentioned in historical records in 310 BCE during the Second Samnite War, it was following the end of these conflicts that the city and other Campanian towns were designated as allies (socii) of Rome. These cities remained in this allied status until the Social War, during which Pompeii joined a revolt against Rome and was subsequently besieged by Lucius Cornelius Sulla in 89 BCE.12