If they wished to arrive in good time, no other route could be taken than through the midst of the enemy's territory--where afterwards, in continuation of the Appian Way, the Roman road was constructed from Capua by way of Beneventum to Apulia.

This route led, between the present villages of Arpaja and Montesarchio (Caudium), through a watery meadow, which was wholly enclosed by high and steep wooded hills and was only accessible through deep defiles at the entrance and outlet.

Here the Samnites had posted themselves in ambush.

The Romans, who had entered the valley unopposed, found its outlet obstructed by abattis and strongly occupied; on marching back they saw that the entrance was similarly closed, while at the same time the crests of the surrounding mountains were crowned by Samnite cohorts.

They perceived, when it was too late, that they had suffered themselves to be misled by a stratagem, and that the Samnites awaited them, not at Luceria, but in the fatal pass of Caudium.