Faliscans

Extract

The iron age inhabitants of the Treia basin, and the northern neighbours of *Veii. They spoke a ‘distinct and special language’ (Strabo 5. 2. 9), akin to Latin, but were culturally and politically under strong *Etruscan influence. There were a number of townlike settlements within the territory, some occupied from the late bronze age; the principal city was Falerii Veteres (mod. Cività Castellana). In 241 bce, the Romans captured Falerii, transplanting its inhabitants to a new site, Falerii Novi, 5 km. (3 mi.) to the west. They migrated back to their old centre in early medieval times. In the Villa Giulia Museum in Rome are finds from Faliscan cemeteries, and fine architectural *terracottas from the temples of Falerii Veteres. The latter include the famous shrine of Juno Curitis, described by *Ovid (Am. 3. 13. 1 ff.), one of whose wives was of Faliscan origin. See italy, languages of.