Frentania

Frentania was an ancient region of Italy, located in the eastern part of the Samnium territory. It was inhabited by the Frentani people, an Italic tribe who were closely related to the Samnites. The Frentani territory was situated along the Adriatic coast, encompassing the areas that roughly correspond to modern-day Abruzzo and Molise. Their main settlements included Anxanum (modern Lanciano), Umanus (modern Ururi), and Histonium (modern Vasto).

The Frentani are first mentioned in historical records by Polybius in the 2nd century BCE. They were known for their maritime activities and their involvement in conflicts in southern Italy. During the Roman expansion, the Frentani eventually came under Roman control. They participated in the Social War (91–87 BCE) against Rome, siding with other Italian allies seeking Roman citizenship. After the war, they were incorporated into the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire.

The region was known for its agricultural produce and its strategic coastal location. The Frentani culture exhibited characteristics typical of the Oscan-speaking peoples of central and southern Italy. While their distinct identity gradually faded with Romanization, the legacy of the Frentani people is preserved in historical accounts and archaeological findings from the area. The region's landscape is characterized by rolling hills and a rugged coastline, which influenced the development and settlement patterns of the Frentani people.