HISTORY AND ETHNOLOGY. 27 



2. The Etruscans and Romans. 



Long before Italy came into possession of the Eomans, it was inliabite<i 

 by difterent tribes, several of whom, later, constituted the Koman peopk\ 

 They came from the north and north-east, and each horde as it entered 

 pushed its predecessors further south, until the whole peninsula was 

 appropriated. We have room only for a glance at the most prominent <jf 

 these original settlers. 



1. The Illyrians. These, at an early period, secured a hold in the south, 

 and exercised a species of authority over the various smaller nations around 

 them. The districts of Bruttium and Lucania contained the Q^notrians, 

 Chonians, and Morgetians ; while in the east from Metapont to Mount 

 Garganus, dwelt the Messapii, Salentinians, Calabrians, Peucetians, and 

 Daunians. The lUyrian stock appeared further north also. The Pelignians 

 appear as descendants of the Illyrians and Sabines ; and Herodotus gives 

 the names of Illyrians to the Yenetians. 



2. The Siculi originally possessed Latium ; but in the general movement 

 south, they changed their residence, and at last settled in Sicily, giving their 

 name to the island. 



3. The Aurunci occupied the region of country lying between the Tiber 

 and the Sicilian Straits, and from the Apennines westwards to the sea 

 coast. Some of their descendants afterwards received the name ol' 

 Yolscians. 



4. The Sahines^ with their descendants the Sabelles, a free, hardy moun- 

 tain race, occupied the Apennines around Amiternum, in the centre of 

 Italy. The courageous and faithful Samnites, Pelignians, and Marsians, 

 the indolent and cowardly Picenians, the law-loving and deeply religious 

 Sabines, and the plundering and murderous Lucanians, were all united with 

 the Sabelles. 



5. The Umbrians were a strong nation, possessing the province of 

 Umbria and other districts in the east of Etruria, and between the 

 Apennines and the Tiber. 



6. The Etruscans differed in every respect from the above-mentione(^l 

 tribes. Tliey divided the people into two castes, superiors and servants. 

 Prior to the founding of Rome they had acquired wealth and influence by 

 commerce and piracy, but from 500 to 470 B.C., they lost their supremacy 

 on the seas, and were no longer terrible to others. Most authors assign 

 them a Pelasgic origin ; they built the old cities on the mountains, and 

 were finally conquered by new settlers from the east. 



7. The Pelasgimis. 



8. The Latins. At an early period, the Pelasgians, Sabines, Umbrians, 

 Ausonians, and Siculians, commingled in the kingdom of Latium, and from 

 the union originated the Latins. With the history of this people begins 

 that of Rome itself. 



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