List of ancient peoples of Italy

This article provides a summary of the peoples who inhabited the Italian peninsula and surrounding islands during antiquity. These peoples are commonly grouped by linguistic affiliation, archaeological culture and historical sources (especially Greek and Latin auhors). Among them, the Romans were ultimately able to conquer and assimilate the other groups during their expansion.

Ethnolinguistic map of Italy in the Iron Age, before the Roman expansion and conquest of Italy

Linguistic classification

Speakers of non-Indo-European languages

Main article: Prehistoric Italy

Scholars believe the following peoples spoke non-Indo-European languages, often based on limited evidence. Some may have spoken Pre-Indo-European languages, while others exhibit features that led Giacomo Devoto to propose a "peri-Indo-European" classification.^[1]

Tyrrhenians (Etruscans and related peoples)

See also: Etruscan civilization, Etruscan society, and Etruscan cities

• Etruscans — Centered in Etruria, with influence extending from the Po Valley to Campania.^[2][3]
• Raeti — Associated with the Alpine region.^[4]
• Camunni — Likely related to the Raeti.^[5]

Pre-Nuragic and Nuragic Sardinians

See also: History of Sardinia, List of ancient Corsican and Sardinian tribes, and Nuragic civilization

• Sherden — Possibly identifiable with the Sardinians.^[6]
• Balares (Balari)^[7]
• Ilienses/Iolaes/Diagesbes
• Corsi — Possibly related to the Ligures.^[8]

Ligures

See also: Ligurian language (ancient)

The linguistic classification of the Ligures is debated; they may have spoken a non-Indo-European or an early Indo-European language.^[9][10]

Others (uncertain classification)

• Picentes — Inhabitants of the Adriatic coast near Ancona.^[11]
• Rutuli^[12]
• Sicani^[13]

Speakers of Indo-European languages

Italic peoples

See also: Italic peoples, List of ancient Italic peoples, and Latins (Italic tribe)

Italic tribes included:

• Latins, including the Romans
• Falisci
• Umbri, Sabines, Marsi, Volsci, South Picenes, Marrucini, Aequi, Hernici, Vestini, Paeligni
• Samnites, including the Pentri, Caraceni, Caudini, Hirpini
• Oscans, including the Opici, Aurunci, Sidicini, Campanians, Frentani, Lucani, and Bruttii
• Sicels
• Oenotrians, including the Itali, Morgetes

Celtic peoples

See also: Cisalpine Gaul and Lepontic language

• Cisalpine Gauls — e.g., Insubres, Boii, Senones, Cenomani, Lingones, etc.
• Lepontii, Graioceli, Salassi, Helvetii

Iapygians (possibly Illyrian-related)

• Messapians, Peucetians, Daunians — Located in modern-day Apulia^[14]

Greek colonists

See also: Magna Graecia

• Achaeans, Dorians, Ionians
• Italiotes, Siceliotes

Archaeological cultures

Main article: Prehistoric Italy

Archaeological cultures do not necessarily correspond to specific ancient peoples but may represent material traditions shared by multiple groups.

Neolithic

• Cardial culture, Grotta Verde culture, Filiestru culture, Bonu Ighinu culture, San Ciriaco culture, Arzachena culture, Ozieri culture

Copper Age

• Abealzu-Filigosa culture, Monte Claro culture, Beaker culture, Remedello culture, Rinaldone culture, Laterza culture

Bronze Age

• Nuragic civilization, Torrean civilization, Apennine culture, Canegrate culture, Golasecca culture, Polada culture, Castelluccio Culture, Terramare culture

Iron Age

• Villanova culture, Latial culture, Este culture, Camunni culture, Fritzens-Sanzeno culture

Genetic studies

See also: Genetic history of Italy

Genetic studies have provided insights into the origins and interactions of ancient peoples in Italy. A 2019 genetic study in Science examined ancient DNA from burials near Rome (900–200 BC). The individuals exhibited 25–35% steppe ancestry and carried haplogroups including R-M269, T-L208, and various mtDNA lineages. Despite their cultural differences, Etruscans and Latins were genetically similar, indicating significant gene flow and shared ancestry within central Italy.^[15]

Additional studies have highlighted genetic continuity in other regions, such as the Nuragic civilization in Sardinia, which shows a strong link with earlier Neolithic populations and limited genetic influence from later migrations. Similarly, genetic evidence from Apulia indicates affinities between Iron Age Daunians and contemporary populations in the eastern Mediterranean and Adriatic regions, suggesting possible Illyrian influences.^[16]

Overall, genetic research underscores complex demographic histories involving migration, admixture, and local continuity, significantly enhancing our understanding of ancient Italy's ethnolinguistic landscape.

See also

• Prehistoric Italy
• Genetic history of Italy
• List of ancient Italic peoples
• List of Nuragic tribes
• History of Sardinia
• Etruscan civilization
• Magna Graecia
• Latins (Italic tribe)