The Ancient Italians

[Guest Zembrius]

I was made to understand that the Ancient Italians, like before Rome had really gone anywhere, were similar to the Greeks. Separate city-states and such, and that they used large spears to fight in phalanx, is that true?

[Ursus]

I'm not sure how Greek like they were. There were Greek colonies in the south of Italy who always asserted some kind of influence on their Latin neighbors via trade. But most of the Italic peoples shared in some kind of distant heritage - aside from the Etruscans, whose origins are disputed. The Etruscans were Hellenized to some degree but they did have a culture all their own as well.

 

National Geographic had an article on Pre-Roman Italy a few months ago that might interest you.

[Guest Scanderbeg]

I read that. Very interesting.

 

here is something I was able to get on the topic.

[Favonius Cornelius]

I guess it all depends on how early you are talking exactly. The Latin fighting form naturally went through evolutions. At some point they did indeed fight much like phalanx formation, but before that it was more loose.

 

For instance, I have read it speculated that the Salii brotherhood is actually an ancient (ancient to the Romans even!) seasonal grouping of young warriers who would go and fight bands of other young men in the next tribe.