Osi (tribe)

Ancient tribes around 1 AD; the Osii are to be seen near the top centre of the map

Roman Empire ca. 125 AD; the Osi are to be seen south of the Tatra Mountains

Not to be confused with Azali (tribe).

The Osi or Osii were a Roman era tribe dwelling north of the Marcomanni and Quadi, in a woody and mountainous country in or near present day Slovakia. Their national customs, as well as their language, were the same as those of the Aravisci, who Tacitus categorized as Pannonians. They paid tribute to the Quadi and Sarmatae. The exact districts they inhabited cannot be determined, nor do we know whether they had migrated from Pannonia, or whether they were an ancient remnant of Pannonians who once live in those districts. They are known to scholars from a small number of remarks by Roman authors including Tacitus.

Evidence from Tacitus

Tacitus described the Osi as living "behind" (Latin : retro) the Marcomanni, moving north from the river Danube. They were neighbours of the Marsigni, Gotini, and Buri. ^[1]

Behind them the Marsigni, Gotini, Osi, and Buri, close in the rear of the Marcomanni and Quadi. [Retro Marsigni, Cotini, Osi, Buri terga Marcomanorum Quadorumque claudunt.]

Tacitus described them as a Germanic "natio", using that term in a geographical sense.

Whether however the Aravisci migrated into Pannonia from the Osi, a German race [Germanorum natione], or whether the Osi came from the Aravisci into Germany, as both nations still retain she same language, institutions, and customs, is a doubtful matter; for as they were once equally poor and equally free, either bank had the same attractions, the same drawbacks. ^[2]

In another passage, Tacitus explained that culturally and linguistically the Osi were nevertheless not really Germani. ^[1]

the Marsigni and Buri, in their language and manner of life, resemble the Suevi.

The Cotini and Osi are proved by their respective Gallic and Pannonian tongues, as well as by the fact of their enduring tribute, not to be Germans. [Cotinos Gallica, Osos Pannonica lingua coarguit non esse Germanos, et quod [2] tributa patiuntur.]

Tribute is imposed on them as aliens, partly by the Sarmatæ, partly by the Quadi. The Gotini, to complete their degradation, actually work iron mines. All these nations occupy but little of the plain country, dwelling in forests and on mountain-tops.

References

1. Tacitus, Germania , 43.
2. Tacitus, Germania , 28.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain :  Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Osi". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography . London: John Murray.