Volsci facts for kids
The Volsci were an ancient group of people who lived in Italy. They were a strong tribe, well-known in the early days of the Roman Republic. They lived in a hilly and marshy area south of Latium. This land was near the Aurunci and Samnites tribes to the south, and the Hernici to the east. Their territory stretched from Norba and Cora in the north to Antium in the south.
The Volsci were rivals of ancient Rome for hundreds of years. Rome slowly took over their lands. By 304 BC, the Volsci became part of the growing Roman Republic. Interestingly, Rome's first emperor, Augustus, had Volscian family roots.
Contents
Who Were the Volsci?
The ancient writer Strabo said the Volsci were an independent group living close to Rome. Their land was in the Pomentine plain, between the Latins and the Pontine marshes. The marshes were even named after this plain.
The Volsci were divided into two main groups. The Antiates Volsci lived on the coast, with their capital city Antium. The Ecetran Volsci lived inland, centered around their city Ecetra.
What Language Did They Speak?
The Volsci spoke a language called Volscian. This language was part of the Sabellic group of Italic languages. It was very similar to Oscan and Umbrian. It was also related to Latin, but not as closely.
In the Volscian area was a small town called Velitrae. Today, it is known as Velletri. This town was home to the family of Caesar Augustus, the first Roman emperor. An old inscription from the 3rd century BC was found there. It was carved on a small bronze plate and was likely a gift to the god Declunus.
Volsci and Ancient Rome: A Long Conflict
The Volsci were among Rome's most dangerous enemies. They often teamed up with the Aequi tribe. Their neighbors, the Hernici, however, became allies with Rome after 486 BC.
According to old stories about early Rome, its last king, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, was the first to fight the Volsci. This started two centuries of battles between the two groups.
A famous Roman warrior, Gaius Marcius Coriolanus, got his special name after capturing the Volscian town of Corioli in 493 BC. His story is told in a book by Plutarch. This book was later used by Shakespeare for his play, Coriolanus.
However, the relationship between Rome and the Volsci was not always hostile. The Roman historian Livy wrote about a time in 508 BC. When an army from Clusium was approaching Rome, the Roman senate bought grain from the Volsci. This grain was used to feed the people of Rome during the possible siege.
Important Volsci People
- Camilla: A brave Volscian warrior maiden in Virgil's famous poem, the Aeneid. She was like the legendary Amazons.
- Attius Tullus Aufidius: A leader of the Volsci during their wars with Rome.
Famous Romans with Volscian Roots
- Augustus: The very first Roman emperor.
- Decius: A Roman emperor who ruled from 249 to 251 AD.
Roman Families from Volscian Areas
Some Roman families, called gentes, originally came from Volscian territory. These include:
- Balventia gens
- Messia gens
- Octavia gens
- Pomptina gens
- Publicia gens
