Messapic

Facts

  • Language: Messapic
  • Alternate names: Messapian
  • Language code: cms
  • Language family: Indo-European, Unclassified Indo-European
  • Number of speakers: Extinct
  • Script:

More information:

    Introduction

    Messapic is an extinct Indo-European language of South-eastern Italy, once spoken in the regions of Apulia and Calabria. It was spoken by the three Iapygian tribes of the region: the Messapians, the Daunii and the Peucetii.

    The language, a centum language, has been preserved in about 260 inscriptions dating from the 6th to the 1st century BC. The Messapic language became extinct after the Roman Empire conquered the region and assimilated the inhabitants.

    The Verb

    Sample

     dašta morƟana ap
 rodita hipades

    Translation: "Dasta Morthana gave (this) to Aphrodite."

    Verb:

    References