Peuceti

The Peuceti were an ancient Italic people who inhabited the peninsula of Messapia in southeastern Italy during the Iron Age. They were one of the three main Messapian tribes, alongside the Sallentini and the Calabri, who collectively occupied the region that is now modern Apulia. The Peuceti occupied the northern part of Messapia, roughly corresponding to the area between Bari and Taranto.

Our knowledge of the Peuceti comes primarily from archaeological discoveries and the writings of ancient Greek and Roman historians. They were known for their distinct pottery, which often featured geometric designs and anthropomorphic figures. Their settlements were typically fortified, suggesting a society that was both agricultural and engaged in defense. They were also known to have engaged in trade with the Greeks, particularly with colonies in Magna Graecia.

The Peuceti, like other Messapian tribes, spoke a Messapian language, an Indo-European language belonging to the Iapygian branch, which is distinct from Latin. They developed their own alphabet, derived from Greek script. The Peuceti had a complex social structure, with evidence of a ruling elite and a warrior class. Their religious practices involved the worship of deities associated with nature and fertility, with offerings often found in sanctuaries and burial sites. The Peuceti eventually fell under Roman influence, becoming integrated into the Roman Republic by the 3rd century BCE.