Samnite Empire

What if the Samnites didn´t loose the wars and are not eradicated by Sulla eventually ? (the goal of the Samnites and other rebels during the OTL lost Social Wars was an independent Confederation Nation called Italia with the capital Italica (Corfinium) in modern Abruzzo ) What if they stay strong and even triumph against Rome early on ? Would they hellenized or would their Italic identidy be stronger ? Would they concentrate being the main power in Italia or would they expand challeging Cathage and Greece ? What butterflies would this mean for Europe and the world ?
 
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Difficult to say.
This are the Samnite territories:
770px-Carte_DeuxGuerreSamnite_327avJC.png


Their natural outlet to the sea will be around Neapolis, a city that has long ceased to be active in Greek Italiote politics.
Their were organized as a a rather loose tribal confederation. That seems an impediment to any expansion. OTOH, to beat Rome decisively, you might need a early unification of the Samnites into a clearly organized polity anyway.
In the long run, everything is different by eliminating the Latin language as widespread idiom and the whole Romance family. But in the shorter run, it depends on many aspects of the Samnite culture which are broadly unknown today, AFAIK.
 

GdwnsnHo

Banned
I've heard the Samnites described as proto-communists, which I think is a loathesome descriptor - But everything I've read suggests that it was more communal than individual, so more trading between entire tribes, rather than between individuals.

It does suggest a more collectivist approach to things.

It could be interesting if they could be united under a form of representative quorum, lead by a "Consul","General","Warleader", I'm going to stick with Consul. The Consul has basically free reign in external matters, and some in internal matters - but there is a balance between his powers, and the powers the tribes have over their territories.

Plus, it means that with new conquests - new groups can be invited into the quorum, even in entirely artificial. Conquer Neapolis? The 'Neapol' are invited, despite being lead by a Pro-Samnite leader that they've chosen.

Does this eventually get too large to control? Probably - but this is why tiering works!

I'm thinking a combination of the Hellenic League for the military and diplomatic powers of the consul, but without the voting relying on the military BUT the requirement to provide military forces equivalent to X% of manpower, men, money, etc.

Fundamentally, you need someone to come along, and resolve any conflicts between the main Samnite groups, and establish common laws and defined areas of influence for each group.

For the world? No "Roman Empire" - Depending on how this military federation works? Potentially a militarily cohesive, if culturally diverse Italy.

I'm curious as to how the identity politics would work, whether groups would start assimilating with each other, or subdividing - and at which point should a group be added to the quorum?
 
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