Transcript THE SAMNITES

The Samnites
THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND
VI and V centuries BC
Safina was the name of ancient Molise. Its inhabitants were migrating populations
that moved from central Italy in search of better conditions of life. They were often
obliged to migrate because of wars, famines and plagues.(*) The population was
subdivided into five tribes: Hirpini, Caudini, Caraceni, Frentani and Pentri, the last
ones inhabited our area.
In Molise they first settled on the hills overlooking the Biferno river.
One of the most popular settlement was nearby the Tammaro river where
Saepinum (**)was founded.
(*)The legend, instead, narrates that these tribes were brought to Molise following
a sacred ox and its cowherd Cominio Castronio.
(**)Saepinum is also known as Altilia. It became a Launguebard hamlet and was
named Altilia (from the German alt - teil which means old part
Ancient Sabina
The river Biferno
The Biferno River was known as Tifernus in ancient Roman times.
Its source is nearby Bojano, but it also receives the waters of several
streams from The Matese mountains. The river runs through the region of
Molise for about 100 kilometers and flows into the Adriatic Sea near
Termoli. The Biferno Valley contains at least 43 towns.
The Tammaro
In ancient times it was
known by the Latin name
Tamarus
Saepinum
The village stood in a very favourable position where two main roads met, at the
very intersection of a trading route and a green path used by shepherds to move
their flocks from north to south for fresh grazing. This habit was called
tansumanza
“Ver Sacrum” - Holy Spring
The sacred ox reminds us the tale according to which the Sabines
sacrificed to Mamerte all their sons who were born in springtime. They
were considered as pre-destined offspring who, at the age of twenty, had
the task to leave the tribe in search of new lands. It is believed that they
were guided by a sacred animal and that they settled where the animal
was pleased to stop.
Transumanza
Source: - http://www.staffoli.it/it/transumanza.html
Transumanza was the seasonal migration of shepherds and animals at the
end of spring and at the beginning of autumn.
These migrations occurred along a regulated system of wide grassy tracks,
known as tratturi.
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ASPECTS
The Samnites’ civilisation was an evolved one, they enjoyed freedom of
expression and didn’t practice slavery.
The Samnites were monogamous and the family was organised on patriarchal
basis. Once a year the most beautiful girls could choose among the young
men who had bravely stood out in battles. If a man didn’t behave properly
towards his wife, he was banned from his tribe.
Women were in charge of their childrens’ education and the household.
The Samnites mainly lived on sheep farming, so wool was one of the main
raw material they used to make clothes
They were also very clever warriors and gladiators. They succeded to defeat
the Roman army at the Caudine Forks in 321 BC
They fought three wars strenuously against the Romans and eventually they
were submitted to the Roman rule.
In the battle that was fought in Saepinum in 293 BC, they bravely opposed
the Romans’ superiority, but almost 7,400 people were killed.
The Samnite warrior
The tomb of a Samnite warrior at the Museum in Campobasso.
Beside the knight, there is the skeleton of a horse together
with its harness, buckles, bits and stirrups made of iron and
bronze.
Caudine Forks
In the Battle of Caudine Forks the
Samnites under Gavius Pontius
defeated and captured a Roman
army in 321 BC, during the
Second Samnite War. The Roman
army surrendered, and was
forced to march under the yoke.
***
A song by The Stormlord
“Under the Samnites’ Spears”
Stormlord’s Song
Under the Samnites’ Spears
In shame we defile
Before our enemies
Forced to march
Under the Samnites' Spears
Seven years of wars
Have led us to this ruinous end
Seven years of wars
Were fought in vain
On a hostile ground that seemed to be
Protecting the Samnites
We were fighting though in our hearts the light
Of hope shone no more
Among the southern mountains lost
We quickly tired
With no supplies left exhausted we starved
Led by deceit towards our doom
Trapped in gorge, surrounded by woods
We were overthrown
In shame we defile
Before our enemies
Forced to march
Under the Samnites' Spears
Step by step, one by one
We bear the humiliations
Of facing our foolishness's symbol
As we march we can hear their voices mocking us
Laughing, screaming, crying out their scorn
Our mouths are filled with the bitter taste of shame
Poisoning the blood - in our veins
Killing all our pride
On a hostile ground that seemed to be
Protecting the Samnites
We were fighting though in our hearts the light
Of hope shone no more
Among the southern mountains lost
We quickly tired
Religion
The Samnites worshipped many Gods, among them there was Cerere the goddess of the
Land and Ercole, the god of natural elements
Hercules and Lica cm 335x220x130;
Antonio Canova marble sculpture
Roma Galleria Nazionale
Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus
Peter Paul Rubens about 1614
Oil on panel, 51.5 x 79 cm
Vienna, Gemaldegalerie der Akademie der Bildenden Kunste
Oscan language
Derived from Sanskrit of Indo-European origins, Oscan language, was
spoken in southern and central Italy. It was the native tongue of the
Samnites. Used for business transactions, engraved on clay tablets, it
also appears on temple stones. The written language became
standardized by the end of the fifth century B.C.
Oscan was gradually substituted by Latin and apparently became
completely extinct by the end of the 1st century A.D.
Tablet of Agnone
Oscan
Oscan alphabet
Art
The Samnites were also skillful craftsmen, they were able to work
metals and clay
Since they lead a simple lifestyle the jewellery they produced were
bronze objects, rarely silver or gold. Women wore rings and bracelets,
in the shape of spirals often with a snake-head motif.
Men’s jewellery was heavier and often had geometric patterns and
animals engraved on it
Examples of Samnite Art
Diet
The Samnite diet, was mainly cereal-based, with high carbohydrate intake
and low quantity of meat.
The mostly used cereal was farro which is the original grain from which all
others derive. It has a chewy texture when cooked. The Samnites likely
turned farro into flour and cooked it like polenta, or baked it making loaves
of bread and foccacia.
Other crops were legumes, wheat, grapes and olive.
Farro