lucano

Lucano is an Italian term that can refer to the historical region of Lucania and to people from that region. It derives from Lucania, the ancient Latin name for a portion of southern Italy, which corresponds largely to the modern region of Basilicata.

As a demonym, a resident of Basilicata is called a lucano (plural lucani). The term emphasizes cultural and historical ties to the ancient land of Lucania, including its language, traditions, and regional identity.

In classical literature, Lucano commonly denotes Marcus Annaeus Lucanus (39–65 CE), a Roman poet best known for Pharsalia, an epic about the civil war between Caesar and Pompey. His work is noted for its rhetorical style and its exploration of fate, power, and virtue within a historical setting.

Other uses are more limited but the adjective lucano appears in Italian to describe things connected with Lucania, such as Lucano cuisine, art, or folklore, and may appear in historical or cultural writing.