Iapyges

The Iapyges were an ancient Italic people who inhabited the northwestern part of the Salento peninsula in southeastern Italy. They were distinct from the Messapians, who occupied the southern part of the peninsula, though both groups shared some cultural similarities and are often discussed together due to their geographical proximity. The Iapyges are believed to have migrated from Illyria across the Adriatic Sea sometime in the early first millennium BCE.

Their territory was characterized by a rugged coastline and fertile inland areas. Archaeological evidence suggests they were skilled in agriculture and animal husbandry. Their settlements were often fortified, indicating a need for defense. Material culture found at Iapygian sites includes pottery, bronze tools, and weaponry, which show influences from both indigenous Italic traditions and contact with Greek colonists and other Mediterranean cultures.

The Iapyges maintained a complex relationship with the Greek city-states that were established along the coast, such as Tarentum. While there were periods of conflict, there were also instances of trade and cultural exchange. The Iapygian language, belonging to the Indo-European family, is known from a limited number of inscriptions, making its precise classification challenging. Over time, the Iapyges were gradually absorbed into the expanding Roman Republic, with their distinct identity eventually fading as they adopted Roman language and customs.