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.
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]
The linguistic classification of the Ligures is debated; they may have spoken a non-Indo-European or an early Indo-European language. [9] [10]
Italic tribes included:
Archaeological cultures do not necessarily correspond to specific ancient peoples but may represent material traditions shared by multiple groups.
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.
