The Samnites were Italic tribes that migrated from Central Europe to the mountainous area of south-central Italy in the 9th century BC. They later became an enemy of Rome. Even though these tribes shared language and cultural ties, each maintained a level of autonomy in governance and societal organization. They were native to a region known as Samnium, a landscape where mountains interchange with fertile valleys. The mountains served as protective barriers from invaders.

Today, that area includes the Italian regions of Molise and parts of Abruzzo, Campania, and Lazio. It is believed they likely brought the Oscan Indo-European language and culture with them. This would come to shape the development of ancient Italy. Ancient Greek historians thought the Samnites were descendants of the Umbri.