The Samnites were distinguished by their love of war, and their unconquerable attachment to liberty; their sway at one time extended over Campa'nia, and the greater part of central Italy; and the Romans found them the fiercest and most dangerous of their early enemies.

The chief towns in the Samnite territory were Alli'fae, Beneventum, and Cau'dium.
28.

Lower Italy was also called Magna Grae'cia, from the number of Greek[4] colonies that settled on the coast; it comprised four countries; Luca'nia and Brut'tium on the west, and Apu'lia and Cala'bria on the east.
29.

LUCA'NIA was a mountainous country between the Sil'arus, _Selo_, on the north, and the Lae'us, _Lavo_, on the south.

The Lucanians were of Sabine origin, and conquered the Oenotrians, who first possessed the country: they also subdued several Greek cities on the coast.