304 119th Olympiad Romans establish a Latin colony of 6,000 at Alba Fucens Rome makes new alliances with the Marsi, Paeglini, Marrucini, and Frentani. Second Samnite War ends. The new treaty secures Roman control over northern and central Campania. Taras is attacked by the Lucanians. The Tarentines appeal for help to Agathocles, tyrant of Syracuse. Agathocles uses the appeal as a pretext to invade Bruttium. Agathocles captures Lipara through treachery. The loot taken was loaded onto ships bound for Syracuse. Enroute the fleet was caught in a storm and lost.
303 Cleonymus of Sparta and Taras negotiate an alliance against the Lucanians. Expedition of Cleonymus of Sparta to Italy. He is defeated by the Salentini with the help of the Romans. (alt. date: 302 BC). Metapontum opposes Cleonymus of Sparta. Lying siege to the city, he forces the Metapontians to conclude a treaty and pay him a large indemnity. Alliance between Rome and Taras/Tarentum. Romans establish a Latin colony at Sora in Samnite territory to guard the Liris valley. Romans establish a Latin colony at Alba Fucensis (Alba Fucens) with 6,000 colonists. 301 Romans war against the Marsi and Etruscans. Peace between Rome and the Vestini.
3rd Century BC Leonidas of Tarentum, poet, flourishes. He wrote at least 100 epigrams, most of which can be read in the Greek Anthology. Pompeii founded by the Samnites. 300 120th Olympiad Rhegium captured by Syracuse. (c) Last known eruption of Roccamonfina, located 50 km N of Naples. (c) Eruption on Vulcano island. 299 (early in year) Lucanians send an embassy to Rome to make a formal complaint about the Samnites. Appearing before the Senate, they said the Samnites had attempted to make a treaty them against the Romans. When the Lucanians refused, the Samnites invaded their territory to try to force them into the treaty. The Lucanians stated that they were willing to endure the suffering rather than turn against Rome. They asked the Romans to declare war on the Samnites and promised to remain loyal, even offering them hostages as a guarantee of their good faith. The Romans agreed to help and sent ambassadors to the Samnites ordering them to withdraw immediately from the territory of their Lucanian allies. Samnite officials met these ambassadors before they arrived, telling that they be killed if they tried appearing before any Samnite assembly. When the ambassadors returned to Rome and reported what had transpired, the Senate declared war on the Samnites. The Third Samnite War begins. Agathocles occupies the island of Corcyra. First professional barbers in Rome arrive from Sicily. 298 Romans under L. Cornelius Scipio Barbatus drive the Samnites out of Lucania. Romans capture Taurasia, Bovianum Vetus and Aufidena (mod. Aufedena [AQ]), centers of the Caraceni Samnites. Latin colony founded at Carseoli. New treaty between the Romans and Lucani. 296 121st Olympiad. Minturnae (the principal port of the Ausoni) and Sinuessa receive full Roman citizenship. (Alt date. 295 BC) Pestilence strikes Rome. 295 Battle of Camerinum. Romans under Scipio Barbatus are defeated by an allied army of Gauls and Samnites. Battle of Sentinum. Romans defeat a coalition of Samnites, Gauls (Senones), and Etruscans. The Samnite leader Gellius Egnatius is killed during the battle. Agathocles of Syracuse captures Croton. Agathocles cedes Corcyra to Pyrrhus of Epirus. 294 Battle of Lucera. Samnites defeat the Romans. Etruscans end their alliance with the Samnites and sign a treaty with Rome. 293 Battle of Aquilonia. Romans defeat the Samnites. Romans capture Amiternum (AQ). 292 122nd Olympiad. Romans crush a rebellion at Falerii. 291 Romans capture the Samnite city of Venusia (mod. Venosa) near the Lucanian border. They establish a Roman colony there. Pestilence strikes Rome. 290 Romans under consul Manius Curius Dentatus capture the Praetutian city of Interamna (mod. Teramo). It is given the status of a municipium. Adria (mod. Atri [TE]) captured by the Romans. Third Samnite War ends. A new treaty is signed between Rome and the Samnites. Surrender of rebel Sabines who receive the status of civitas sine suffragio.