Simon Lentzsch is a research assistant at the Chair of Ancient History at the University of Cologne.

1. Introduction.- 2. Methodological Preliminary Remarks.- 3. The Most Dangerous Adversary Since the Endurance of Our Rule-Rome's Celtic Wars.- 4. Under the Yoke-The Samnite Wars.- 5. The Darkest Hour-The Roman-Carthaginian Wars.- 6. Summary.