96,
and of Caere in 353.

In the contest which followed between Rome and the Samnites, the
combatants were very nearly matched. Rome had her power more compact and
concentrated, while the Samnites were superior in numbers, but were more
scattered. They were both equally brave.

During the first five years of the war (326-321), the Romans were
usually successful, and the Samnites were forced to sue for peace.
In this period Rome gained no new territory, but founded a number of
military posts in the enemy's country.

The peace lasted for about a year, when hostilities were again renewed.
By this time the Samnites had found a worthy leader in Gavius Pontius,
by whose skill and wisdom the fortune of war was turned against the
Romans for seven years (321-315). He allured the Romans into a small
plain, at each end of which was a defile (Furculae Caudinae). On
reaching this plain they found Pontius strongly posted to oppose them.
After a bloody but fruitless attempt to force him to retreat, the Romans
themselves were compelled to give way. But meanwhile Pontius had also
occupied the defile in their rear, and they were obliged to surrender.

A treaty was signed by the Consuls Titus Veturius and Spurius Postumius,
according to which peace was to be made, and everything restored to its
former condition.

Such was the affair at the Caudine Forks (321), one of the most
humiliating defeats that ever befell the Roman arms. The army was made
to pass under the yoke,--which was made of three spears, two stuck into
the ground parallel to each other and the third placed above them,--and
then suffered to depart.

Rome was filled with dismay at the news. The citizens dressed in
mourning, business and amusements were suspended, and every energy was
devoted to repairing the disaster. Compliance with the terms of the
treaty was refused, on the ground that no treaty was valid unless
sanctioned by a vote of the people. It was determined to deliver the
Consuls who had signed it to the enemy.

Pontius, indignant at the broken faith, refused to accept them, and the
war was renewed. It continued for seven years, when (310) the Samnites
were so thoroughly whipped by QUINTUS FABIUS, then Dictator, at LAKE
VADIMONIS in Etruria, that they could no longer make any effective
resistance, and at last (304) agreed to relinquish all their sea-coast,
their alliances and conquests, and acknowledge the supremacy of Rome.

During this war the Etruscans