It's the entrance on History Hit.

I'm Tristan Hughes, your host and in today's podcast, where we're talking all about the

rise of Rome, focusing in on Rome's conquest of central slash southern Italy.

Because today we're going to be talking all about the Romans versus the Samnites, one

of their great early rivals in Italy, based in the region around Campania, Montecampania

and also the ancient region of Samnium.

Now to talk through the Samnite Wars, I was delighted to chat to a few months back, Dr.

Catherine Lomas, an honorary fellow from the University of Durham.

This was a really fun chat with Catherine.

We chatted for over an hour and so because of that, we're going to divide this episode

into two.

In this first episode, we're going to be talking about the background to the eruption

of the first Samnite War in the mid-fourth century BC, and we're going to be looking at the

first Samnite War itself, and in the second episode, we're going to continue the story,

looking at the second Samnite War and the final third Samnite War.

So enjoy this first of two episodes all about the Samnite Wars and without further ado.

Here's Catherine.

It is wonderful to have you on the podcast today.

It's lovely to be asked.

Thank you.

You're very welcome. How could I not ask about this topic?

I've been waiting a long time to do this topic, the Samnite Wars, because before the

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