290 BC

Events in 290 BC 1

• 343 BC – 290 BC The Samnite Wars Three wars against the Samnites — a powerful Italic people of the Apennine mountains — between 343 and 290 BC cement Roman dominance of peninsular Italy. The Second Samnite War (326–304 BC) includes the humiliation of the Caudine Forks (321 BC), where an entire Roman army is forced to pass under the yoke. Rome recovers, learns, adapts — and ultimately prevails. By 290 BC, Rome controls most of Italy south of the Po valley.