Of course they are... They were useless in real life too back then, just like every other unit they had, using outdated weapons and no armour, except for rich nobles which might have had a shirt of chainmail and a decent helmet... Much the same as every other barbarian in Europe, they made a line of men and charged it at the enemy with no thought of real tactics, which is why it was the Romans, Greeks and Carthies who had the most influence on the ancient world, and not the British, Gallic, Germanic or Spanish.
Of course. And when ever some peeved off guys challenged the leader of a barbarian tribe, the leader just rolled over and died. Hmm, maybe we should introduce a 'roll over and die' speacial ability for them?

And in S. Italy i usualy get Greek skirmishers for some reason :(
Always the bloody skirmishers.
Samites are more Central Italy material IIRC.