of their early successes. This formation later evolved into a military tactic that would allow the conquering of much of Europe. Third Samnite War (298 to 290 BC) According to Livy and Dionysius of Halicarnassus the war originated with a Samnite attack on the Lucanians. Romans began activities in Lucania which ignited hostilities. Unable to resist, the Lucanians sent ambassadors and hostages to Rome to plead for an alliance. The Romans decided to accept the alliance offer and sent fetials to insist the Samnites evacuate Lucania, but they refused and the war began. In 295 BC, the Romans defeated Samnites, Umbrians, and Gauls in the Battle of Sentinum in Umbria. In 291, a Roman consul defeated the Samnites at Aquilonia and established the colony of Venusia. The Samnites made peace again. This war secured Rome's leadership in Italy. See also List of Roman wars and battles Sources Boatwright, Mary T., Daniel J. Gargola, Noel Lenski, and Richard J. A. Talbert. The Romans: From Village to Empire: A History of Rome from Earliest Times to the End of the Western Empire, 2nd edition. Oxford University Press, 2012. References Lists of battles