[Linenotes: 1. +Decius.+ P. Decius Mus, Consul with Q. Fabius Maximus Rullianus, commanded the left wing at the Battle of Sentinum, where he was opposed to the Gauls, and when his troops began to give way before the Gaulish chariots (+essedae+) he, like his father at the Battle of Vesuvius, 340 B.C., devoted[25] himself with the hostile army ‘to the gods of earth and of the grave.’ 5. +proceres iuventutis+ = _the flower of the young men_. 8. +avertere+ (= +se avertere+) = _to retire_ (lit. _turn away_). 10. +essedis+ = _war-chariots_, on two wheels, open in front, but closed behind, and drawn by two horses; used also by the Britons. 14. +lymphaticus+ = _mad_, _frenzied_. 16. +turbata ... signa legionum+ = _the ranks of the legions were thrown into disorder_. +Signa+ is frequently used of military movement, as the most noticeable feature in an army.] [Footnote 25: Cf. pp. 92, 93.] +The Cause of the Third Samnite War.+ The democratic party among the Lucanians made overtures to the Samnites. The Romans peremptorily ordered the Samnites not to interfere in Lucania, an arrogant command which the Samnites declined to obey, and war broke out anew. +Results of the War.+ After an obstinate struggle peace was concluded in 290 B.C., the Samnites retaining their independence. D41 THE WAR WITH THE TARENTINES AND PYRRHUS, 281-275 B.C. (1) _The Aims of Pyrrhus. Battle of Heraclea, 280 B.C._ Pyrrhus rex Epiri cum iterata Tarentinorum legatione additis Samnitium et Lucanorum precibus, fatigaretur, non tam supplicum precibus quam spe invadendi Italiae imperii inductus venturum se cum exercitu pollicetur. In quam rem inclinatum semel {5} animum praecipitem agere coeperant exempla maiorum, ne aut inferior patruo suo Alexandro videretur, quo defensore idem Tarentini adversus Bruttios usi fuerant, aut minores animos magno Alexandro habuisse, qui tam longa a domo militia Orientem subegerat. {10} Igitur relicto custode regni Ptolemaeo filio annos xv nato exercitum in portu Tarentino exponit. Cuius audito adventu consul Romanus Valerius Laevinus festinans, ut prius cum eo congrederetur, quam auxilia sociorum convenirent, exercitum in {15} aciem educit. Nec rex, tametsi numero militum inferior esset, certamini moram fecit. Sed Romanos vincentes iam inusitata ante elephantorum forma stupere primo, mox cedere proelio coegit, victoresque iam nova Macedonum repente monstra vicerunt. {20} Nec hostibus incruenta victoria fuit. Nam et Pyrrhus ipse graviter vulneratus est, et magna pars militum eius caesa, maioremque gloriam eius victoriae quam laetitiam habuit. JUSTINUS, xviii. 1.