Picentes

The Picentes were an Italic people who inhabited the Adriatic coast of Italy during the Iron Age and Roman period. Their territory, known as Picenum, stretched roughly from the Aesis river (modern Esino) in the north to the Matrinus river (modern Tronto) in the south.

Archaeological evidence suggests that the Picentes culture emerged in the 9th century BCE, possibly through the mixing of local Italic groups with influences from the Balkans and even further east. Their language, Picene, is poorly understood due to limited inscriptions, but it is generally considered to belong to the Italic branch of Indo-European languages. Two different, but related, dialects or languages are attested: South Picene and North Picene.

The Picentes were skilled metalworkers and agriculturalists, engaging in trade with other Italic peoples and with the Greeks. They were organized into a loose confederation of communities. Their society was likely hierarchical, with a warrior aristocracy.

Initially allied with Rome, the Picentes revolted against Roman rule in the Social War (91-88 BCE), seeking Roman citizenship. After their defeat, they were gradually integrated into Roman society, receiving Roman citizenship and their territory becoming part of Roman Italy. The term "Picenum" continued to be used as a geographical designation during the Roman Empire. The modern Italian region of Marche largely corresponds to the ancient territory of Picenum.