Rafael Scopacasa's Ancient Samium has provided us with what has been needed for a long time: a sweeping and refreshingly new discussion of the Samnites. S.’s introduction (1–17) does a good job of laying a trustworthy foundation whence the reader may proceed into the discursive chapters. He demonstrates an exhaustive knowledge of the earlier work done on Samnium and proves without trying — nor directly stating — that his volume is a necessary addition to the corpus.
Ch. 1 (18–55) surveys the evidence for the construction of ‘Samnite’ identities. S. efficiently discusses the problems with the literary portrayals of a unified Samnite ethnos. Turning to epigraphic evidence, he notes the possibility of certain groups of ‘Samnites’ who may have identified with a wider identity which could have included peoples throughout Italy not traditionally associated with Samnium, such as those of Sabinum and Picenum. This chapter also looks at the stereotypes associated with the Samnites and discusses both their formation and change over more than four centuries of Greek and Roman thinking. S. usefully points to the differences between Roman and Greek views of the ‘Samnites’, especially underlining what he describes as their ‘Hellenic credentials’ (48–52). The most valuable conclusion drawn from this chapter is S.’s description of Samnite identity as ‘malleable’, an idea which reoccurs throughout his analysis.
Ch. 2 (56–118) is a long and detailed survey of the data concerning society and culture during the Iron Age (roughly the tenth to fifth centuries b.c.). The first section of the chapter (57–65) very briefly touches on the settlement trends of the region, especially of areas with modern survey data. Two points must be made about this section. The first is that while S. mentions parallel settlement patterns in Etruria, there is a dearth of citation of the relevant modern works. The second is that the term ‘urban’ (also ‘urbanization’) is used without much discussion of what is now a well-trodden theoretical topic. S.’s discussion is reasonable and his scepticism about reconstructing population sizes based on archaeological evidence is welcome. The second section of this chapter is the largest (65–103). In it, S. analyses identity in Samnite sites through funerary evidence. Helpfully, S. provides a table detailing burial statistics from the sites under discussion (table 2.1). In his general analysis, S. identifies a number of factors which determined organization of funerary space (kinship, age, status). The discussion at this point deals in detail with the spread of a ‘warrior ethos’ throughout Italy, and possibly the Mediterranean. By contrast, the construction of ‘female’ identity is covered rather summarily. The final subsection, 2.2.3, is a thorough and interesting discussion of the archaeological evidence for commensality. S. contextualizes these practices well within the wider Italian and Mediterranean world.
The final analytical section of ch. 2 traces the development of cult in Samnium, looking first at the transition from inhumation to cremation burials. These are compared to similar practices in Italy and the Mediterranean. We then learn about the development of cult practices, especially ritual sites containing votive deposits. S. looks at the deities represented and points out the overt ties between Samnite deities and those of the wider Mediterranean. Importantly, he argues against the view that Heracles worship was the result of an extremely pastoral way of life (109–12).
Ch. 3 (119–58) examines the coming of Rome to Samnite territory. It opens with a thorough critique of the ancient sources for the process which resulted in Roman control of the region. What S. has produced throughout this chapter is a most detailed reading of the period of the so-called Samnite Wars. The closing sections of this chapter look at Roman activities of the third and second centuries as well as Samnite involvement in the Hannibalic War. This discussion looks beyond warfare, providing a thorough analysis of the impact of Roman/Latin colonization.
Ch. 4 (159–237) revisits a number of topics introduced in ch. 2: identity and settlement. S. persuasively argues against the vicus-pagus paradigm. Settlement patterns are surveyed regionally, and he points to a diversity of settlement types. S. moves on to an analysis of the connections of sanctuaries and cult activities to the development and expression of communal identity. While some sanctuaries were used to express a broad ethnic identity, they could also be used to express the identity of an individual settlement.
Ch. 5 (238–94) looks at the impact of Rome. S. shows his familiarity with the problematized nature of ‘Romanization’ and the discussion which follows shows a progressive approach. He analyses the impact of Rome in a number of areas of culture: cult, temple architecture, ceramics and consumption, burial practices and language. S. concludes this chapter with a survey of the fate of Samnite identity in the wake of the Social War. He argues against a number of poorly founded ideas, such as the immediate abandonment of sanctuaries in light of the municipal system.
No review of this length can do justice to this book. The volume is well presented and sufficiently illustrated where needed. The layout and organization helps the discussion to flow well. S.’s view of the Samnites and approach to analysis are innovative and fit into the recent trend in the field to look beyond regional evidence in order to better understand both the culture under discussion and the wider Mediterranean. This work has much to offer to scholars of Samnium, pre-Roman Italy, and anyone interested in the development and construction of identity.
