Brill’s New Pauly

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Samnites, Samnium
(1,710 words)

[German version]

I. Name, ethnos, geography

The S. called their country Safinim, and themselves probably Safineis (inscriptions: Vetter 149; coins: [1. 149 f.]); the Greeks, respectively, Saunîtis (Σαυνῖτις, Pol. 3,90,7) and Saunîtai (Σαυνῖται, Philistus FGrH 556 F 41 f.; according to Fest. 436 L, derived from saúnion, 'spear'); the Romans called them S. (ILS 1). While etymologically related, these terms do not have the same geographical meaning. Common to Safineis and the ethnics S…

Cite this page
Vanotti, Gabriella (Novara), “Samnites, Samnium”, in: Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry. Consulted online on 26 September 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e1100350>
First published online: 2006
First print edition: 9789004122598, 20110510



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