Samnites
a people of ancient Italy, that inhabited the country between Apulia on the E. and Latium and Campania on the W.; a brave and warlike nation, they distinguished themselves by their implacable hatred of the Romans, with whom from their earliest existence as a people they waged a perpetual hostility. They were, however, ultimately compelled to succumb before the growing power of Rome, and after a succession of disasters were finally exterminated about 290 в. C.
Their capital city was called Samnium, or Samnis. The term Samnites was subsequently applied to an order of Roman gladiators, so named because accoutred and armed in the fashion of the ancient nation of Samnites.