Battle of Sentinum
Near Sassoferrato, Marche, Italy
What happened
Roman armies under the consuls Publius Decius Mus and Quintus Fabius Maximus Rullianus fought Samnites and Senone Gauls. Rome faced an alliance of Samnites, Gauls, Etruscans and Umbrians, but the Etruscans and Umbrians were drawn away before the battle. On the plain of Sentinum, Fabius held the right while Decius attacked on the left. Decius died after offering his life to the gods in a ritual called a devotio, his men rallied, and Fabius's cavalry went round the Samnites, who fled.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The win broke up the alliance against Rome. The Etruscans, Umbrians and Gauls left the war, leaving the Samnites alone.
What came next
The war ended five years later with the Samnites' surrender. Rome gained control of much of central Italy and part of southern Italy.
Did you know?
Decius's father, also named Publius Decius Mus, had made the same ritual sacrifice at the Battle of Vesuvius in 340 BCE.
Timeline
- 340 BCEDecius's father makes his devotio at Vesuvius.
- 295 BCERome wins at Sentinum.