Siculotae

The Siculotae were a pre-Roman Italic tribe inhabiting the region of Sicily. Their origins are debated, with some scholars suggesting an Illyrian or Ligurian connection based on linguistic and archaeological evidence. They arrived in Sicily, according to tradition, before the Sicels, possibly around the 2nd millennium BCE.

The Siculotae are primarily known through brief mentions in ancient Greek and Roman historical accounts, notably by Thucydides. These accounts suggest they were eventually absorbed or displaced by the Sicels, who arrived later and dominated much of eastern Sicily. Consequently, the Siculotae left a limited direct archaeological or textual record.

The exact geographical extent of Siculotae territory is uncertain, but it is generally believed to have been located in the western part of Sicily. Their culture and social organization remain largely unknown due to the scarcity of information. The name "Siculotae" itself suggests a possible relationship with the Sicels, perhaps indicating a shared origin or a period of co-existence before the Sicels' rise to prominence. Further archaeological discoveries might shed more light on this elusive group and their role in the early history of Sicily.