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I've been considering a TL in which the Samnites rise to power in Italy and defeat the Romans for hegemony on the peninsula. A quick search has showed me that the topic has popped up here from time to time, but with little serious discussion in the past.

My question is, what is the earliest POD for putting the Samnites on track to defeating Rome? I was thinking an early victory in the first and second Samnite Wars (or TTL's equivalent)?
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