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Bruttii
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Who were the Bruttii people?
The Bruttii were an ancient Italic people who inhabited the southwestern region of Italy, now known as Calabria. They occupied the area coextensive with modern Calabria, often called the "toe of the boot," which was separated from Lucania (modern Basilicata) to the north.
Initially allied with the Lucanians, the Bruttii waged war against the Greek colonies along the coast, seizing Vibo in 356 BC. Despite being temporarily subdued by the Greeks, they regained control of the town by the 3rd century BC and held it until it became a Latin colony.
During the 3rd century BC, the Bruttii reached the height of their power, with key towns including Consentia (modern Cosenza), Petelia, and Clampetia. They confronted the Romans during the war with Pyrrhus and later allied with Hannibal after the battle of Cannae. Ultimately, the Bruttii lost their freedom at the end of the Hannibalic War, and Roman colonies were established in their territory.
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Where did the Bruttii live in ancient times?
The Bruttii were an ancient Italic people who inhabited the area of what is now southwestern Italy, or modern Calabria, often called the "toe of the boot". This region was separated from Lucania (modern Basilicata) to the north. The name Italia was initially applied to part or all of this peninsula. Their chief towns during the height of their power in the 3rd century BCE were Consentia (modern Cosenza), Petelia (near Strongoli), and Clampetia (Amantea).
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What language did the Bruttii speak?
The Bruttii, an ancient Italic people inhabiting modern Calabria, Italy, spoke Oscan and Greek around the 3rd century BC. Despite using Oscan, they weren't related to the Samnite tribe of the Lucani, who also spoke Oscan. The name Bruttii, meaning "runaway slaves," was likely attached to them after being conquered by Samnite invaders. Hellenism influenced the Bruttii, evident in their tomb finds and use of the Greek language. Their primary towns included Consentia, Petelia, and Clampetia. The mountainous terrain suited these warriors, whose training was notably Spartan.
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How did the Bruttii interact with neighboring ancient peoples?
The Bruttii, located in modern Calabria, present-day southwestern Italy, interacted with several ancient peoples. They allied with the Lucanians to wage war against the Greek colonies, seizing Vibo in 356 BCE. Despite being overcome by Greeks, aided by Alexander of Epirus and Agathocles, they reasserted control over the town until it became a Latin colony. The Bruttii confronted the Romans during the war with Pyrrhus, later siding with Hannibal after the battle of Cannae. Ultimately, they lost their freedom at the end of the Hannibalic War, leading to the establishment of Roman colonies in their territory.
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What role did the Bruttii play in conflicts with the Romans?
The Bruttii were involved in conflicts with the Romans, initially as allies of Pyrrhus, against whom they sent reinforcements. After Pyrrhus's defeat, the Bruttii submitted to Rome but lost half their territory in the Sila forest.
Later, during the war with Hannibal, the Bruttii were among the first to side with him after the battle of Cannae, and Hannibal maintained his position in their territory for the last phase of the war. Ultimately, the Bruttii lost their freedom at the end of the Hannibalic War. In 194 BCE, Roman colonies were established in their territory.
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How did Roman rule affect the Bruttii and their culture?
Roman rule significantly impacted the Bruttii, an ancient Italic people in southwestern Italy. After allying with the Lucanians and warring with Greek colonies, the Bruttii confronted the Romans, sending support to Pyrrhus. Following his defeat, they submitted and lost half their Sila forest territory.
During the war with Hannibal, the Bruttii were among the first to support him, but they entirely lost their freedom at the end of the Hannibalic war. In 194 BC, Roman colonies were established in their territory, and a major road was built through their towns in 132 BC. Despite these changes, the Bruttii did not play a significant role in subsequent conflicts. The influence of Hellenism remained visible in tombs and language use, even after Roman subjugation.
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Bruttii, an ancient Italic people of what is now southwestern Italy, occupying an area coextensive with modern Calabria (an area sometimes referred to as the “toe of the boot”). This area was separated from Lucania (corresponding to modern Basilicata) on the north, and it was to part or the whole of this peninsula that the name Italia was first applied.
In alliance with the Lucanians, the Bruttii made war on the Greek colonies of the coast and seized on Vibo in 356 bc. Though for a time overcome by the Greeks who were aided by Alexander of Epirus and Agathocles, tyrant of Syracuse, they reasserted their mastery of the town from about the beginning of the 3rd century bc and held it until it became a Latin colony at the end of the same century.
At this time they were speaking Oscan as well as Greek, and two of three Oscan inscriptions in Greek alphabet still testify to the language spoken in Vibo in the 3rd century bc. Despite their use of the Oscan language, the Bruttii were not actually akin to the Samnite tribe of the Lucani, who also spoke Oscan. The name Bruttii was used by the Lucanians to mean “runaway slaves,” but it is considerably more likely that this signification was attached to the tribal name of the Bruttii from the historical fact that they had been conquered and expelled by the Samnite invaders.
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The Bruttii were at the height of their power during the 3rd century bc. Their chief towns were Consentia (modern Cosenza), Petelia (near Strongoli), and Clampetia (Amantea). To this period (about the time of the Pyrrhic War) is assigned the series of coins they struck, and they appear to have retained the right of coinage even after their final subjugation by the Romans. The influence of Hellenism over the Bruttii can be seen in finds in tombs and their use of the Greek language in addition to their own. The mountainous country, ill suited for agricultural purposes, was well adapted for these hardy warriors, whose training was Spartan in its simplicity and severity.
The Bruttii first confronted the Romans during the war with Pyrrhus, to whom they sent auxiliaries. After his defeat, they submitted and were deprived of half their territory in the Sila forest, which was declared state property. In the war with Hannibal, they were among the first to declare in his favour after the battle of Cannae, and it was in their country that Hannibal held his ground during the last stage of the war (at Castrum Hannibalis on the Gulf of Scylacium). The Bruttii entirely lost their freedom at the end of the Hannibalic war; in 194 bc colonies of Roman citizens were founded at Tempsa and Croton, and a colony with Latin rights at Hipponium called thereafter Vibo Valentia. In 132 bc the great inland road from Capua through Vibo and Consentia to Rhegium (Reggio di Calabria) was built, but neither in the Social War nor in the rising of Spartacus, who held out a long time in the Sila (71 bc), do the Bruttii play a further part as a people.