The Marsi were an Italic people of ancient Italy, whose chief centre was Marruvium, on the eastern shore of Lake Fucinus (which was drained in the time of Claudius). The area in which they lived is now called Marsica. They originally spoke a language now termed Marsian which is attested by several inscriptions.
History
The Marsi were first mentioned as members of a confederacy with the Vestini, Paeligni and Marrucini. They joined the Samnites in 308 BC, and, on their submission, became allies of Rome in 304 BC. After a short-lived revolt two years later, for which they were punished by the loss of territory, they were readmitted to the Roman alliance and remained faithful down to the Social War, their contingent being always regarded as the flower of the Italian forces.
The Latin colony of Alba Fucens near the northwest corner of the lake was founded in the adjoining Aequian territory in 303 BC so that, from the beginning of the 3rd century, the Marsians were in touch with a Latin-speaking community, to say nothing of the Latin colony of Carsioli farther west. The earliest pure Latin inscriptions of the district seem to be C.I.L. IX 3827 and 3848 from the neighbourhood of Supinum; its character generally is of the Gracchan period, though it might be somewhat earlier.
In the Social War (91–87 BC) which, owing to the prominence of the Marsian rebels, is often known as the Marsic War, they fought bravely against odds under their leader Q. Pompaedius Silo and, though they were frequently defeated, the result of the war was the enfranchisement of the allies. All the coins of Pompaedius Silo have the Latin legend "Italia", while the other leaders in all but one case used Oscan.
Religion
The sanctuary of Lucus Angitiae, the chief temple and grove of the goddess Angitia stood at the southwest corner of Lake Fucinus, near the inlet to the tunnel of Claudius and the village of Luco dei Marsi. Angitia was widely worshipped in the central highlands as a goddess of healing, especially skilled to cure serpent bites by charms and the herbs of the Marsian woods, which was carried out by local inhabitants until modern times. Their country was considered by Rome to be the home of witchcraft.
See also
- Marsus (disambiguation), Latinisation of the name Marsi
- Umbrian language
References
- Conway 1911 cites: Livy viii. 29, cf. viii. 6, and Polybius ii. 24, 12.
- Conway 1911 cites: Liv. ix. 41.
- Conway 1911 cites: Liv. ix. 45.
- Conway 1911 cites: Liv. x. 3.
- Conway 1911 states: e.g. Liv. xliv. 46.
- Conway 1911 states: e.g. Horace Odes ii. 20, 18.
- Conway 1911 cites: Unteritalische Dialekten, p. 345.
- Conway 1911 cites: Sulmo, C.I.L. ix. 3074, Furfo Vestinorum, ibid. 3515
- Conway 1911 states: see A de Nino's charming collection of Usi e costumi abrusszest.
- see Hor. Sat. i, 9, 29, Epod. 17, 28, &c.
Bibliography
- Conway, Robert Seymour (1897). The Italic Dialects Edited with a Grammar and Glossary. Cambridge: University Press. pp. 289–299.
- Attribution
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Conway, Robert Seymour (1911). "Marsi". In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. Endnote:
- Conway, R. S. The Italic Dialects. pp. 290 seq. (from which some portions of this article are taken; on the Fucino-Bronze, ib. p. 294)
The Marsi were an Italic people of ancient Italy whose chief centre was Marruvium on the eastern shore of Lake Fucinus which was drained in the time of Claudius The area in which they lived is now called Marsica They originally spoke a language now termed Marsian which is attested by several inscriptions HistoryThe Marsi were first mentioned as members of a confederacy with the Vestini Paeligni and Marrucini They joined the Samnites in 308 BC and on their submission became allies of Rome in 304 BC After a short lived revolt two years later for which they were punished by the loss of territory they were readmitted to the Roman alliance and remained faithful down to the Social War their contingent being always regarded as the flower of the Italian forces The Latin colony of Alba Fucens near the northwest corner of the lake was founded in the adjoining Aequian territory in 303 BC so that from the beginning of the 3rd century the Marsians were in touch with a Latin speaking community to say nothing of the Latin colony of Carsioli farther west The earliest pure Latin inscriptions of the district seem to be C I L IX 3827 and 3848 from the neighbourhood of Supinum its character generally is of the Gracchan period though it might be somewhat earlier In the Social War 91 87 BC which owing to the prominence of the Marsian rebels is often known as the Marsic War they fought bravely against odds under their leader Q Pompaedius Silo and though they were frequently defeated the result of the war was the enfranchisement of the allies All the coins of Pompaedius Silo have the Latin legend Italia while the other leaders in all but one case used Oscan ReligionThe sanctuary of Lucus Angitiae the chief temple and grove of the goddess Angitia stood at the southwest corner of Lake Fucinus near the inlet to the tunnel of Claudius and the village of Luco dei Marsi Angitia was widely worshipped in the central highlands as a goddess of healing especially skilled to cure serpent bites by charms and the herbs of the Marsian woods which was carried out by local inhabitants until modern times Their country was considered by Rome to be the home of witchcraft See alsoMarsus disambiguation Latinisation of the name Marsi Umbrian languageReferencesConway 1911 cites Livy viii 29 cf viii 6 and Polybius ii 24 12 Conway 1911 cites Liv ix 41 Conway 1911 cites Liv ix 45 Conway 1911 cites Liv x 3 Conway 1911 states e g Liv xliv 46 Conway 1911 states e g Horace Odes ii 20 18 Conway 1911 cites Unteritalische Dialekten p 345 Conway 1911 cites Sulmo C I L ix 3074 Furfo Vestinorum ibid 3515 Conway 1911 states see A de Nino s charming collection of Usi e costumi abrusszest see Hor Sat i 9 29 Epod 17 28 amp c BibliographyConway Robert Seymour 1897 The Italic Dialects Edited with a Grammar and Glossary Cambridge University Press pp 289 299 Attribution This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Conway Robert Seymour 1911 Marsi In Chisholm Hugh ed Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 17 11th ed Cambridge University Press Endnote Conway R S The Italic Dialects pp 290 seq from which some portions of this article are taken on the Fucino Bronze ib p 294
