Caudine Forks 321 BC: Rome's Humiliation in the Second Samnite War (Campaign) - Softcover

In its long history, Rome suffered many defeats, but none were as humiliating as the Caudine Forks in 321 BC. Rome had been at war with the Samnite League since 328 BC. The rising powers vied for supremacy in central and southern Italy, and their leaders were contemplating the conquest of Italy. The new Roman consuls of 321 BC were the ambitious, but militarily inexperienced, Veturius Calvinus and Postumius Albinus. They were determined to inflict a massive blow on the Samnites but their troops were instead surprised, encircled and destroyed. The survivors were forced to retreat under the yoke in a humiliation worse than death.
This new study, using specially commissioned artwork and maps, analyses why the Romans were so comprehensively defeated at the Caudine Forks, explains why the aftermath of their defeat was so humiliating and how it spurred them on to their eventual triumph over the Samnites.

Dr Ross Cowan is a British author and historian. He is a specialist in Roman warfare and makes occasional forays into Scottish military history. He lives in Glasgow, UK. For more information, and examples of his work, please visit http://independent.academia.edu/RossCowan

Seán Ó'Brógáin lives and works in Donegal, Ireland. He has a BA (Hons) in Scientific and Natural History illustration from Lancaster University and has worked for a wide range of clients. Apart from Osprey, these include the University of Manchester, An Post, the National Museum of Ireland, the Irish Office of Public Works, as well for a variety media companies, museums, councils, and private individuals.