Then commenced the second period of struggles between the two peoples.

Rome had taken breath, and had grown much more rapidly than her rivals.

Instead of shutting herself up, as heretofore, within her walls, she forthwith raised three armies, took the offensive against the coalitionists, and carried the war into their territory.

The Etruscans rushed to the defence of their hearths.

The two consuls, Fabius and Decius, immediately attacked the Samnites and Gauls at the foot of the Apennines, close to Sentinum (now Sentina).