#samnites

[memories-of-ancients]

Historical Warfare --- The Samnite Linen Legion

from The Ancient History Guy

[t-jfh]

Samnite Bronze Helmet and Neckguard, C. 450 BC

This imposing helmet is a unique hybrid of the Samnite-Chalcidian type.

The Samnites were an Italic people living in Samnium (see Wikipedia article map, below) in south-central Italy who fought several wars with the Roman Republic. They formed a confederation, consisting of four tribes: the Hirpini, Caudini, Caraceni, and Pentri. They were allied with Rome against the Gauls in 354 BC, but later became enemies of the Romans and were soon involved in a series of three wars (343–341, 327–304, and 298–290 BC) against the Romans. Despite a spectacular victory over the Romans at the Battle of the Caudine Forks (321 BC), the Samnites were eventually subjugated.

What was known as a ‘Samnite Gladiator’ appeared in Rome shortly after the defeat of Samnium in the 4th century BC, apparently adopted from the victory celebrations of Rome’s allies in Campania. By arming low-status gladiators in the manner of a defeated foe, Romans mocked the Samnites and appropriated martial elements of their culture.

Samnite soldiers 330s BC depicted in a tomb frieze in Nola, Southern Italy.

Collection: Naples Archaeological Museum

Source/Photo: Shonagon 2022-04-28

Wikipedia ref: Samnites

Collection: Louvre Museum, Department of Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities

Wikipedia ref: Samnites

[theknitpotato]

Discovered accidentally by Nicolino Lombardi while flying in his ultralight helicopter, the Temple-Theater of Monte San Nicola in the Upper Casertano region of Italy reveals a compelling story of historical intrigue dating back to the late Ancient Roman Republican period, possibly around the 2nd-1st century BC. This remarkable archaeological site, hidden for centuries beneath overgrown vegetation, has sparked scholarly debate about whether the complex was built by Roman architects or indigenous Italic tribes like the Samnites.

Situated at an elevation of 410 meters in the scenic Sannio area, the presence of nearby tombs suggests that it fell out of use by the 2nd century AD. If the dating is accurate, the construction of the temple-theater coincided with Rome's victories over rivals such as Carthage and conflicts with local enemies. Positioned strategically to overlook key northern routes, the complex likely represented Rome's growing power in the region.

Similar to the Samnite theater at Pietrabbondante, this structure symbolizes Rome's control over the Italian landscape, reflecting ancient rivalries and ambitions.

[portablefrailty]

The Equestrian

Portrait of an imagined ancient ancestor from the days of Roman Imperium. I began with a picture of myself at age 26 and a prompt that specified a figure with the darker skin, hair and eye color as well as the prominent nose and lips that characterize the men in my family.

As the branches of my family hail from Samnite country (Molise) as well as lands settled by Greeks and Carthaginians (Calabria and Sicily), I imagine this ancestor as someone of mixed Italian ethnicity with Roman citizenship--but not native a Roman. His ancestors--especially the Samnites--resisted Roman control for centuries but eventually fell under the hegemony of the growing Republic during the 3rd century BC and later gained citizenship after the Social War. As non-ethnic Romans of high plebeian or low patrician class, his people eventually gained status through military service as equestrians--a class whose status ranked above that of yeomen legionaries but below that of Roman knights.

Such distinctions would become unimportant during the chaos of the imperial era when military power became the sole criterion for assuming the purple. In 69 AD Vespasian would put an end to the power struggle following Nero's death, becoming the first emperor of equestrian class.

[thatshowthingstarted]

Temple-Theater of Monte San Nicola, Casertano, Italy

Discovered accidentally by Nicolino Lombardi while flying in his ultralight helicopter, the Temple-Theater reveals a compelling story of historical intrigue dating back to the late Ancient Roman Republican period, possibly around the 2nd-1st century BC.

This remarkable archaeological site, hidden for centuries beneath overgrown vegetation, has sparked scholarly debate about whether the complex was built by Roman architects or indigenous Italic tribes like the Samnites.

Situated at an elevation of 410 meters in the scenic Sannio area, the presence of nearby tombs suggests that it fell out of use by the 2nd century AD. If the dating is accurate, the construction of the temple-theater coincided with Rome's victories over rivals such as Carthage and conflicts with local enemies.

Positioned strategically to overlook key northern routes, the complex likely represented Rome's growing power in the region.

Similar to the Samnite theater at Pietrabbondante, this structure symbolizes Rome's control over the Italian landscape, reflecting ancient rivalries and ambitions.

[eqt-95]

lmao i would not be surprised if sideguitars already asked for this but if she has, i need you to write a second one pls

tit for tit or however the saying goes

🖤 kissing while crying / goodbye kiss / desperation

ok. ok, so like. like, you technically asked for this. just saying.

- - - -

It hadn’t seemed desperate at the time. There hadn’t been tears. It hadn’t felt like a goodbye. For that, Lena blamed herself. There hadn’t been any legitimate threat to National City in over a year, and she’d become complacent; they all had: J’onn was off-planet, Alex was with Esme and Kelly in Midvale, Nia and Brainy were mid-flight to their honeymoon. All who was left? Kara. Supergirl.

And Supergirl was always going to save the day. 

“How can I help?” Lena had asked from their balcony overlooking the skyline. Three explosions blocks apart rocked the city, sending plumes of dark smoke into the air. Their Saturday afternoon picnic plans were about to take a rain check.

“Just get to the Tower and comms in from there,” Kara replied, her suit already on and attention wholly on the flames licking up the walls of glass. 

“Are you sure? I can come and-”

“There are too many sites; I need you to help me prioritize.”

“Ok,” Lena nodded.

Kara aimed her shoulders to take flight.

“Be careful, darling,” Lena called. She looked on toward the chaos.

Only then did Kara glance back and catch the look of worry that always clouded Lena’s features. She closed the gap and, with two gentle hands, cupped Lena’s cheeks and pressed a reassuring kiss to her lips. 

“I always am,” Kara winked, and then she was off, and then she was gone. 

------

It was raining.

Of course it was.

A cleansing. A nourishing. A load of bullshit.

The ground sank under her shoe; a poor choice in a downpour. Kara would have made a joke about that. Kara would have done a lot of things; should have done a lot of things.

Still, mud soaked and struggling with her footing, Lena trekked ahead toward the loitering of black umbrellas and somber expressions of people who knew Supergirl as Kara Danvers; people who didn’t know Kara Danvers at all.

A voice droned. It rang of a hollow religion that Kara Zor El didn’t practice, but appearances were needed. For what, Lena didn’t know. It didn’t matter anymore.

Eliza offered her a wet smile from her tear-stained face and Lena looked on. There had always been a small, selfish part of her that she'd always found comfort in knowing she'd be the first to go. 

"I’m sorry about your wife,” some faceless colleague offered. “How unfortunate that she was in the building, too."

Lena looked on. She looked on and clenched her jaw at the ignorance.

She ignored the pleading looks from Nia and Alex; the soft glances of understanding from Kelly; the hiccups from Esme. She ignored them until there was nothing left to ignore but the sound of rain battering against rayon overhead. She ignored that by dropping the umbrella to the ground where the wind pulled it adrift. Droplets pelted and winds chilled. 

Lena looked on.

The skyline was changed. A lot was changed. 

Now, instead of working at L-Corp, she commuted to a wreckage site.

Now, instead of a warm embrace, she knew only of the cold surfaces of a lonely penthouse.

Now instead of the handsome smile meant only for her, she stared down at a granite slab chiseled with lies.

“Why wouldn't you let me come with you?” she whispered into the wind.

And Lena wasn't sure if she meant the battle or wherever Kara was now.

[iamthepulta]

Bruh, more talk needs to be about the Samnites. /found a new Bronze Age passion project at 2am

Fuck the Romans, they were cooking in Pompeii. How have I never heard of them?

[hellyeahniccage]

@screamingsnowflake

if grug honest grug a bit of a faggot.

[min0uze]

Attachment by @damnit-samnit fanart again ft small Smite heheee

[violetmoondaughter]

The walnut tree of Benevento is a legendary ever green tree presumably located of the Riverbank of the Janaras, the place on the bank of the Sabato river. According to folklore the tree was an ancient, leafy walnut tree consecrated to the Germanic god Odin situated near Benevento where a community of Lombards settled in territories originally inhabited by the Samnites.

Legend has it that witches, called Janaras, at night anointed their armpits or chests with ointment and took flight by uttering a magic phrase riding a sorghum broom to reach the Benevento Walnut Tree, where sabbaths and pagan rites were held.

Legend traces its origins to earlier pagan cults existing in the area, particularly the cult of Isis, the Egyptian goddess of magic, whose worship had spread in Roman times through syncretism with other goddesses such as Diana and Hecate.

Other origins of the legend are linked to the Lombard cult of the god Wotan, according to which it was customary to hang the skin of a goat from the branches of the sacred tree so that worshippers could gain the god's favor by frantically running around the tree on horseback, tearing off shreds of skin that they then ate.

Benevento's Christians would have connected these frenzied rites with their existing beliefs about witches: in their eyes women and warriors were witches, the goat was the embodiment of the devil, and the shouting was orgiastic rituals.

[cursecuelebre]

Roman Spirituality

I always wanted to make a blog about this topic because ever since I’ve heard about the Romans and their history that they copy and pasted Greek religion and their gods and such, I never understood it. This is a peninsula filled with people from different tribes and kingdoms before they synchronized their traditions with the Greeks. They had their own indigenous culture, gods, goddesses, and traditions. There is evidence of this and yes there is a few missing pieces but overall it proves that the Romans and the people living on the peninsula had their own culture. I will break it down in segments or try to at least explain this is mainly focusing on Rome than other kingdoms in Ancient Italy but feel free to jump around it's going to be a long blog, but I hope I did do my diligence of discussing this.

Romans weren’t the only people living on the Italian peninsula.

When we think of Ancient Italy and its history we usually think of Roman Empire and how could we not. The Romans accomplished many things, became the largest empire, influence many rulers, help flourishing Christianity. But before the Republic and the imperialism Rome wasn’t Rome, in fact Rome was a small little kingdom called Latium that resided in central western Italy. Latium - meant “Wide” or “Flatlands” and rested on the left bank of the Tiberius river And much like how Greece was it was a city state filled with many other kingdoms and such next to them.

Tuscans (more advanced politically and culturally). Commonly known as the Etruscans this considered to be the first Italic tribe and the oldest one with their written language inspiring Latin and their written language was similar to that of runes. Many of their political, traditions, religion was adopted or influenced by the Romans more so than Greeks. For instance Tinia their supreme God came to be known as Jupiter. Latins the tribe that will soon become the seat of the Roman Empire uniting itself with Samnites, Umbri from Umbria, Ligures, Oscans or the Osci, Sabines, Apuli, Brutti, Volscians, Lucanians or Lucani and the celts also settled on the Italian peninsula as well as Greek colonists. These tribes had their own languages and cultural traditions, but out of them the Romans took most inspiration from the Sabines and the Etruscans culturally and politically other than the Greeks.

Indigenous Roman Polytheism

Now when I say indigenous, I mean what the original people of Italy believed in during the Iron Age and trying to prove that the Roman gods are originated from Latium is difficult and not logical because remember people share and merge together and Italy is a peninsula and not much room of spacing out of tribes, they were living literally next to each other. However, even if they adopted similar beliefs and traditions, tribes were not the same at times didn’t speak the same language or believed the same way. The best way to compare it to is how in indigenous Americans, yes, they are on the same continent they may share similarities, but they still believed different religions, spoke in different languages, had different cultures. However, regarding with Rome specifically, in rise of the Roman Empire and Italy or Roma became united these beliefs tend to merge into one and adapting them.

So unfortunately, there is not many stories or information on Latium’s religious practices that hasn’t been influenced by outside forces. However, before it has been found that Latium was more animistic than believing in actual human representation of the divine. Animistic and Animism derives from Latin ‘anima’ meaning soul.

Numa

There is a concept called Numen or divine life within each object and such this was carried on in the History of pre-Christian Rome. For instance, they believe springs, rocks, mildew, the air, doors, hinges, etc. had divine life to them. Numa comes from the King Numen who was a great king that created the foundations of religion in Rome also politically. Even created Rome’s first calendar and establishing the Vestal Virgins. It is said he was an agent of the gods and had direct communication with them. Numen became deified and worshipped for his Wisdom and piety.

Before they had human depictions and originally may didn’t see their gods as human alike in appearance rather used metals to represent Mars, rocks or wood from sacred trees for a specific god, their deities were nature itself. It was until they were inspired by Greeks and their Sicilian neighbors as well Etruscans when they adopted a more human appearance for visually depicting the gods.

Latium was also a port with many different outside influences go into their culture very early on and this is most likely why they were inspired by the Greeks. The Mycenaean Greeks colonized parts of Italy and trading with them. When the Romans were adopting similar beliefs and ideas of the Greeks there were resistance of the Latin people wanting to stick to their indigenous beliefs and not wanting to merge with the Hellenism. But they (The Romans) when growing their empire, they did adopt religious beliefs and traditions from Sabines who were on the other side of the Tiber River, it’s said some goddesses were adopted such as Sabine moon goddess called Lala that the Romans called Luna.

Animism in Roman society

Now it be forever taking a god one by one from the Romans to see if they came from an indigenous source is hard and will take hours plus I have a couple of blog posts about specific Roman deities. But rather look at the unique nature of examples of Animism within Roman society certain concepts are link to gods.

Ancestors

Ancestral worship was very prevalent within Roman society and religion. From family members, kings, emperors, friends, even to pets the romans revered their dead. Even had festivals for them and there are three special kinds of spirits relating to ancestral worship or it takes part in these ceremonies.

Lares: Specifically, Lares Familiares The spirits of the ancestors technically speaking a guardian of deceased family members and living and the household, the singular is Lar Familiares. A very important spirit in Roman polytheistic religion, they would have altar called Lararia or Lariarium usually where the family members would gather like a living room or back then a hearth. Domestic Lares would have a special place at the dinner table sharing a space with the family. These Lares would also be prayed and be given offerings daily and annually such as wine, pastries like honeycakes, first fruits (from the haverst), incense, grapes, wheat foods. Lares were gods of boundaries, the public, and fields. Domestic Lares are called Lares Domestici and specifically for family is Lares Familiares but they were used interchangeably if they were displeased or offerings, we’d not met they would have unfavourable reception evolving in angry spirit and makes sure no-good fortune or rewards befallen the family until they are pleased. Their festival is Compitalia which is the annual festival of Lares and other respected household deities of the crossroads, held on December 22 there were shrines of Lares placed in sights of crossroads representing their role in liminal spaces.

Often depicted as a young male, not always winged youth holding a cornucopia or libation dish, at times depicted as dancing. Lares of the household is often portrayed as a deified ancestor or hero ancestor, this ancestor is usually patriarchal and the spirits witnessed special events like marriages, boys coming of age, anniversaries, adoptions, etc. their purpose were very protective and providers of good fortune. They were often associated with the panes or penates.

Manes: Were referred as di manes or the divine dead those who departed became a mane, these were either Lares or Parentes of their respective families. Mane was considered the “divine spark” of a living person their consciousness that resides in their minds. Busts of one’s family member is said to have their mane within the art to be honored and welcome in the home even after they departed. That’s why you many you see many busts of Roman people including emperors, it can be made from wax which would put on the departed face then be made as a death mask where people would wear it during the person’s funeral as a way to honor their legacy. Their busts also be present during gatherings and civil and political gatherings as well so they can be included. They were celebrated during Parentalia, Feralia, and Lemuria.

Parentes: These are spirits of the family much like Lares however the Parentes is immediate family like father, mother, siblings, spouses, children, and grandparents. It the individual’s family members that passed that they knew in life. If one were to travel outside of their home to go somewhere very far. The person would keep embers from their hearth along with small statues of their deceased loved ones. In modern days this is equivalent to carrying a picture of a loved one with us. In the movie Gladiator depicts this tradition when Maximus prays to his deceased wife and son. The starting prayer would be “blessed father” and “blessed mother”. Referring to their own mother and father rather than praying to Jupiter for an archetypal father. The sacred holiday is Parentalia beginning on February 13 ending for nine days ending on the beginning of Feralia which focused on honoring deceased ancestors and recently departed then Carista starts which traditionally a time to focus on honoring living family members.

Household deities

Janus: God of doorways and entrances. Depicted as a two-faced man.

Vesta: Goddess of the hearth and home.

Cardea: Goddess of hinges

Forculus: God of actual doors

Limentinus: God of the threshold

Terminus: God of Boundaries.

General household spirits

Penates: Spirits of the kitchen and pantry and often worshipped alongside the Lares, their shrines would be in cupboards and be offered the first fruits and grain from harvest. They protect the food from any rot, illness that may grow in the kitchen or the food itself. Like the Lares they would also be shared a spot at the dinner table the offerings be burn in the hearth afterwards.

Lemures: Restless spirits that tend to be more malicious if they are displeased. Often show their anger through what we call today a poltergeist. It was believed it was the angry revenants of the departed who were restless because their wills were not fulfilled, offerings weren't given, or hadn't received a proper burial. According to Ovid, Lemures caused chaos in Rome as they were not properly worshipping them so they created a sacred holiday for them called Lemuria held on May 9, 11,and 13th.

Genius Loci: Genius is the spirit form of manhood symbolize by a snake. That is the head of the household it is related to the patriarchal structure of the home. Genius Loci is the spirit of the ground on which the house is built upon. Modern witchcraft and paganism may describe them as a 'land spirit'. But it's not really how the Romans saw it, they believed that the Genius Loci is directly link to the Genius of the household so the father of the house, if the Genius Loci is pleased and worshipped properly then the patriarchal of the house would be prosperous and have good fortune.

Umbrae (Shades): So these are just commonly knowledge as ghosts and apparitions of spirits, depending how and what the context when they make their appearance known then they could understand what type of omen was being crossed to them. For instance seeing a deceased loved one in a dream is consider to be a good omen, but if a stranger it is a bad omen or if they saw the ghost during the day in waking hours was consider to very bad. They were also honored a Feralia and Lemuria and during these festivals people would wear protective charms from the spirits in case of misfortune.

[thoodleoo]

i highly encourage everyone to read some of the ancient biographies such as plutarch's lives, because they're full of delightful stories. like im currently reading the life of cato in which plutarch tells us that manius curius dentatus (so named because he was born with teeth) was offered a bribe of gold by samnite ambassadors in an attempt to get him to betray rome, but he refused them because why would he want gold when he has TURNIPS!!!!!

[jezzzebel]

Just a smãaaaaaalll reminder that Roman deities aren't copy paste Greek deities!!

If you look deeper into Roman history, you can see that most of these "Roman Equivalent of greek gods" are actually from other people of the Italian peninsula! Such as Sabines, Etruscans, Samnites, and more!

Sorry guys but i might have a hyper fixation on roman polytheism and... Lady Minerva's kindness is noooot helping it /pos love her!!!

[ancientrome]

Bronze gladiator's helmet

Roman, 1st century AD. Said to be from Pompeii, Campania, Italy.

This bronze helmet is said to have been found in the gladiators' barracks at Pompeii. It has a grille of linked circles to protect the face, and a broad brim to protect the back and sides of the head. At the front of the helmet is a medallion of Hercules, symbolizing strength and victory. Although gladiators were sometimes slaves or criminals, many were professionals who trained to be a specific type of gladiator, such as the retiarius armed with net and trident, or the samnite, a more heavily armed gladiator who wore this type of helmet.

Gladiatorial games were originally performed at funerary rituals in the Etruscan area of Italy and the Greek cities in the south. They were brought to Rome in the fourth century BC, and became a popular form of mass entertainment throughout the Empire. Local notables would sponsor the huge costs of the games to public acclaim and political benefits. Every major centre had an amphitheatre, the remains of which, as at Verona or Rome, are often among the most conspicuous reminders of the Roman past.

Source

[coughloop]

evidence has emerged that Motorola Razors may have originally been assembled by Samnite Developers as early as 380 BCE

[volterran-wine]

hi! history geek here! i don't know if this is a touchy subject but may i ask what type of a gladiator was felix?

• — 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐱?

Good evening history geek, a fellow history geek runs this blog and have now jumped at the chance to talk about this topic. Seriously, if you ever want me to write deep dives you should give me historical angles.

First, a small history lesson and breakdown of when Felix was born for those who might be new here on the blog. This is all my own worldbuilding, mind you, not based on anything Stephenie has written.

Felix was born in 53BCE, a time of great upheaval for the Roman Republic. His formative years was plagued by civil war, all ending with the assassination of Julius Caesar when Felix was only nine years old. At this point Gladiatorial Combat had already been common for over fifty years within The Roman Republic.

However, our dear Felix did not end up in the pits before 35 BCE.

The thing about Gladiatorial Combat, was that it evolved over time; becoming a grander affair with every decade and more of a performance than anything else (Seriously, they filled the Colosseum with water from Tiber). In the early days, Romans would throw their enemies into battle with Free Romans in the pits, notably Gauls, Samnites and Thracians. These groups of people then inspired future Gladitor styles (through the ages there were about thirty or so).

Though it is a little early, I do headcanon Felix as an early iteration of The Murmillo despite the timeline being a little wonky. And though it is not entirely historically accurate, you probably recognise his type of Gladiator from this famous painting by Jean-Léon Gérôme