The Marsi were an Italic peoples of Roman Italy, whose chief centre was Marruvium, on the eastern shore of Fucine Lake (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 language which is attested by several inscriptions.
History
The Marsi were first mentioned as members of a
Confederation with the
Vestini,
Paeligni and
Marrucini.
[ cites: Livy viii. 29, cf. viii. 6, and Polybius ii. 24, 12.] They joined the
Samnites in 308 BC,
[ cites: Liv. ix. 41.] and, on their submission, became allies of
Ancient Rome in 304 BC.
[ cites: Liv. ix. 45.] After a short-lived revolt two years later, for which they were punished by the loss of territory,
[ cites: Liv. x. 3.] they were readmitted to the Roman alliance and remained faithful down to the Social War, their contingent
[ states: e.g. Liv. xliv. 46.] being always regarded as the flower of the Italian forces.
[ states: e.g. Horace Odes ii. 20, 18.]
The Latin colony of Alba Fucens near the northwest corner of the lake was founded in the adjoining 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 Gracchi 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.[ cites: Unteritalische Dialekten, p. 345.]
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
[ cites: Sulmo, C.I.L. ix. 3074, Furfo Vestinorum, ibid. 3515] 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.
[ states: see A de Nino's charming collection of Usi e costumi abrusszest.] Their country was considered by Rome to be the home of witchcraft.
[see Hor. Sat. i, 9, 29, Epod. 17, 28, &c.]
See also
Bibliography
- Attribution
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Endnote:
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(from which some portions of this article are taken; on the Fucino-Bronze, ib. p. 294)
