A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

1. GelliusEgnatius, was leader of the Samnites in the third great Samnite war, which broke out B. C. 298. By the end of the second campaign, the Samnites appeared entirely subdued; but in the following year Gellius Egnatius marched into Etruria, notwithstanding the presence of the Romans in Samnium, and roused the Etruscans to a close co-operation against Rome. This had the effect of withdrawing the Roman troops for a time from Samnium; but the forces of the confederates were defeated by the combined armies of the consuls L. Volumnius and Appius Claudius. In the fourth campaign (B. C. 295) Egnatius induced the Gauls and Umbrians to join the confederacy; but in consequence of the withdrawal of the Etruscans and Umbrians, the Gauls and Samnites fell back beyond the Apennines, and were met by the Romans near the town of Sentinum. A decisive battle, signalized by the heroic devotion of P. Decius, ensued, in which the confederate army was defeated, and Egnatius slain. (Liv. 10.18_29.)