- Peuceti
The Peuceti were an ancient people living in Peucetia, what is now the province of
Bari (Terra di Bari ) in southernItaly . This is mentioned by the ancient Greeks and old historians, and the area is described as being divided intoDaunia (the modern province ofFoggia ), Peucetia andMessapi a (the modern province ofLecce ). These people settled there about700 BC and soon became influenced by the Greek culture, due to the Greeks' establishing colonies in the area. The most important centers created by the Peuceti wereSannace , about five kilometers fromGioia del Colle , and Rubi (Ruvo di Puglia ). The Peuceti, who were an old Italic people of oskian umbrian origin, probably settled together with the Dauni, Japygi and Messapi in the11th century BC , coming fromIllyria over the Otranto channel. After driving away the Ausoni (on the west coast of Italy), they settled in what is now the province of Bari. Starting in the4th century BC , the Peuceti were subdued by theRoman republic . The economy was based on cattle breeding and handicraft, which lead to the development of the spinning mill and wool weaving. The contacts with the colonies of Magna Graecia were important, first with Metaponto and also with Tarento. This is confirmed by the finds of coins and vases. The contacts and wars with the Messapi were also numerous.
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