023 Battle of Sentinum 295BC - Punic Wars

The Third Samnite war broke out after nearly six years of peace. The Samnite war was a struggle for the right to dominate the Italian peninsular and the battle of Sentinum was the last major and most important engagement of that war. An alliance was formed by the Samnites which included Gauls and Etruscans under the leadership of General Egnatius, this powerful confederation was arrayed against Rome. The two armies faced each other for two days without engaging in battle - The Roman commanders were wary about reinforcements reaching the enemy and they themselves becoming outnumbered by an overwhelming force. But then Mars sent the Romans a sign - A deer chased by a wolf ran between the two armies. The Gauls, slayed the deer while the Romans allowed the wolf to run safely through their ranks, for the wolf was sacred to God Mars. This was indeed an occurrence of dire portent to the enemies of Rome. Encouraged by this sign, the Romans advanced!