Dudley author tells story of epic conflict
A crucial episode in the early history of Rome comes under the spotlight in a new book by Dudley author Mike Roberts.
His work is the first book devoted to the Third Samnite War, which was from 298BC to 290BC and was a historical turning point with the mastery of central Italy resting on its outcome, as well as the independent survival of both Rome and the Samnites.
There were more than eight years of hard campaigning, brutal sieges, and bitter battles which stretched Rome to the limit.
Mike has travelled in Italy to see first hand the landscape where these epic events played out, and mines the sources to produce a narrative of the momentous conflict.
A social worker by training, he has had a longstanding interest in the military history of the Classical world.
Already the co-author of several books, this is his second solo book, the first being Two Deaths at Amphipolis.
"Rome's Third Samnite War, 298–290 BC" is published by Pen & Sword Books and costs £25.
