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Messapic language
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Also spelled:
Messapian
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extinct language
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Messapic language

Also known as: Messapian language
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History

Messapic language, Indo-European language spoken by tribes (Messapii and Iapyges) living in the southeastern part of Italy in pre-Roman and early Roman times. Messapic inscriptions date from the 6th to the 1st century bc. The language is believed to be related to the extinct Illyrian languages that were spoken on the east side of the Adriatic.