Battle of the Caudine Forks

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Battle of Caudine Forks
Part of the Second Samnite War
A Lucanian painting (fresco) of the Battle of the Caudine Forks.
Date 321 BC Location Caudine Forks (near Caudium) 41°09′00″N 14°32′00″E / 41.1500°N 14.5333°E / 41.1500; 14.5333 Result Samnite victory
Belligerents
Roman Republic	Samnium
Commanders and leaders
Titus Veturius Calvinus Spurius Postumius Albinus	Gaius Pontius
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
None	None
class=notpageimage| Location within Italy

The Battle of Caudine Forks, 321 BC, was a decisive event of the Second Samnite War. Its designation as a battle is a mere historical formality: there was no fighting and there were no casualties. The Romans were trapped in an enclosed valley by the Samnites before they knew what was happening and nothing remained but to negotiate an unfavorable surrender. The action was entirely political, with the magistrates on both sides trying to obtain the best terms for their side without disrespecting common beliefs concerning the rules of war and the conduct of peace. In the end the Samnites decided it would be better for future relations to let the Romans go, while the Romans were impeded in the prosecution of their campaign against the Samnites by considerations of religion and honor.