520 John W. Wonder
different cuirass types are depicted on these warriors, the characteristic three-disc breast-
plate and what appears to be the wide “Samnite” belt are represented (Pontrandolfo,
Rouveret, and Cipriani, 2004). Thus, while other Oscan-speaking people may have also
used these items, they were not found with a Roman or Greek warrior, and, from Strabo’s
point of view, may have been among the characteristics (along with others) that Greeks
and Romans used to identify those they called “Lucanians.”
The third distinguishing factor mentioned by Strabo is language. While modern critics,
such as J. M. Hall (1997: 143–81), have often argued that language groups are not
ethnic constructs, J. M. Hall (1997: 177) also notes that this does not “prevent them
[languages] from occasionally acting as indicia of ethnicity.” Many ancients would have
agreed. Diodorus (5.6.5) notes that speech (as well as an appellation) was a feature that
separated Sikels from Sikeliotai in Sicily. In Lucania, a number of inscriptions have been
found, mostly dating from the middle of the fourth to the end of the second century
BC. Scholars often refer to the language as South Oscan (Lejeune 1990: 30–5; Horsnaes
2002: 105–7; Isayev 2007: 28–31). The inscriptions were written primarily in the Greek
alphabet, although some later inscriptions employed the Latin alphabet. A majority of the
inscriptions have been found at the sanctuary of Rossano di Vaglio. While Oscan was also
spoken by the Samnites, north of Lucania, most modern linguists class their speech as a
different dialect.
Lucanian Self-Identification
While the Lucanian ethnic was a useful construct for Greek and Roman writers, it is
more difficult to determine how the people of ancient Lucania identified themselves. In
her studies, Isayev concludes (2007: 54; 2010: 203) that the primary identification of
an ancient inhabitant of Lucania was probably with a specific settlement or local region.
Nevertheless, there was some sense of group identity among inhabitants of the area called
Lucania, and this may have developed during the third century and later, as Greeks and
Romans penetrated the hinterlands.
An analysis of the wordtouta, found in Oscan inscriptions and ancient sources, appears
to corroborate the concept of a local identification.Toutais a term that identifies a group
of people (among Oscan speakers). While some scholars have suggested that it represents
a large indivisible group, such as the Samnites (La Regina 1981), most propose thattouta
represents a more localized community (Letta 1994; Dench 1995: 135–6).
Evidence from Roccagloriosa suggests that this site may form the nucleus of atouta.
Roccagloriosa is a fortified center in western Lucania surrounded by rural sites in nearby
territory (Gualtieri and Fracchia 1990; 2001). A fragment of a bronze tablet with the
text of alex(law) has been found at the site. It is written in Oscan and dated to the third
centuryBC(Gualtieri and Poccetti 2001: 187–275). The termsmeddix(an Oscan name
for an administrative leader), the adjective fortouta, and probably a deliberative assembly
are cited in the document. Gualtieri (2000: 55–9) believes that this information, com-
bined with what is known of settlement patterns in ancient Lucania, indicates that Rocca-
gloriosa with the surrounding area “constitutes an archaeologically well documented
case” of atouta. Gualtieri proposes that the fortified center with its buildings was “the
seat of a political/administrative office held by one or moremeddes.” Pliny (3.11.98),