Dauni

Dauni were an ancient Italic people who inhabited the northern part of Apulia in southeastern Italy. They occupied the region roughly corresponding to the modern provinces of Foggia and Bari. The Dauni are believed to have been part of the larger group of peoples known as the Peucetii, who in turn were part of the Iapygians, a group of Indo-European peoples speaking an ancient Messapian language. Archaeological evidence suggests their settlements were concentrated in the Tavoliere delle Puglie, a large, fertile plain.

The Dauni are known primarily through archaeological discoveries, including their distinctive pottery, such as the Daunian stelai, which are large stone slabs often decorated with geometric patterns and figural scenes, and pottery with geometric designs and anthropomorphic figures. Their material culture shows influences from both Greek colonists and other indigenous Italic tribes. Evidence of their social structure and religious practices can be inferred from their burial sites, which often contain rich grave goods.

Little is known about the Dauni's political organization or their interactions with the expanding Roman Republic. They are mentioned in some ancient Roman and Greek historical accounts, often in relation to conflicts or alliances. By the 3rd century BCE, the Dauni, along with other Iapygian groups, were gradually absorbed into the Roman sphere of influence. Their cultural identity eventually faded as they assimilated into the broader Romanized population of Italy.