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Battle of Caudine Forks

Roman history

Quick Summary

The Battle of Caudine Forks was a significant event in Roman history that occurred in 321 BC during the Second Samnite War. In this battle, the Samnites, a warlike tribe from central southern Italy, defeated a Roman army in a narrow mountain pass. The Roman army was forced to surrender and pass under a "yoke" of Samnite spears, a deeply humiliating disgrace. Despite this spectacular victory, the Samnites were eventually subjugated by Rome in a series of wars.12

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  1. Caudine Forks
  2. Samnite

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