Samnium

Samnium is a region of the south-central Apennines, lying north and northeast of Capua.

The Spartacus War Barry Strauss 2009

Caposele sits on what was a border region in ancient times between northwestern Lucania, southwestern Apulia, and northeastern Samnium.

The Spartacus War Barry Strauss 2009

Perhaps they had already found assistance there in their march north in spring 72 B.C. Spartacuss knowledge of Samnium might even have dated back to his days in the House of Vatia in Capua.

The Spartacus War Barry Strauss 2009

The nearness of the two sites, the presence of the Picentini, and the vicinity of Samnium Spartacuss goal after the Mela Ridge all make the area of Caposele a strong candidate for the place towards the Peteline Mountains where the next events unfolded.

The Spartacus War Barry Strauss 2009

Neither Paestum nor Volceii is far from the point where the turnoff for Samnium leaves the Via Annia; the breakaway group would have continued on the Via Annia toward Capua and then taken the Appian Way to Rome.

The Spartacus War Barry Strauss 2009

Sullas army had destroyed Samniums elite military manpower at the Battle of the Colline Gate in 82 B.C., so Samnium could offer Spartacus little support from its free population.

The Spartacus War Barry Strauss 2009

That reasoning, at any rate, might explain the statement in the sources that his goal now was Samnium.

The Spartacus War Barry Strauss 2009

So Spartacus led his army northward through Bruttium and back into Lucania, heading for Samnium.

The Spartacus War Barry Strauss 2009

Caposele sits on what was a border region in ancient times between northwestern Lucania, southwestern Apulia, and northeastern Samnium.

The Spartacus War Barry Strauss 2009

Dreaming of storming the enemys citadel, perhaps they scorned the idea of retreating to Samnium.

The Spartacus War Barry Strauss 2009