Earlier in 334 BC , the Samnites found that to be an unacceptable intrusion by Rome .
Were too preoccupied to respond at the time , by a conflict with the Greek colony of Tarentum and its ally , Alexander of Epirus .
Earlier in 334 BC , the Samnites found that to be an unacceptable intrusion by Rome , but were too preoccupied to respond at the time , by a conflict with the Greek colony of Tarentum and its ally , Alexander of Epirus .