The Samnite Wars were a series of three conflicts fought between the Roman Republic and the Samnites, an ancient Italic people. These wars took place from 343 to 290 BCE and were primarily driven by territorial disputes and the expansion of Roman influence in Italy. The conflicts were marked by significant battles, including the Battle of the Caudine Forks, where the Romans faced a humiliating defeat. The outcome of the Samnite Wars ultimately led to the decline of Samnite power and the expansion of Roman territory. By the end of the wars, the Romans had established dominance over much of Italy, paving the way for further conquests and the eventual rise of the Roman Empire.