Oscan

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Oscan was a member of the Italic branch of the Indo-European language family and was spoken predominantly by the Samnites, an Italic people who inhabited south-central Italy. Other groups, such as the Sabines, Marrucini, and Campanians, also used Oscan in their regions. It was one of several Italic languages spoken alongside Latin, Umbrian, and others before the dominance of Latin in the Roman Empire.

The Oscan script has its origins in the Etruscan alphabet, which itself was derived from the Greek alphabet. Over time, variations of the Oscan script developed, including adaptations of the Etruscan script, the Latin alphabet, and even Greek letters in regions influenced by Hellenic culture. Oscan inscriptions are found in a variety of materials, including stone, metal, and pottery, providing a wealth of information about its usage and evolution.

Oscan was used extensively in inscriptions, public decrees, religious texts, and legal documents, reflecting its importance in both civic and sacred contexts. One of the most famous examples is the Tabula Bantina, a bronze tablet inscribed with a legal text in Oscan. This artifact highlights the structured legal and political systems of the Oscan-speaking communities. Other notable inscriptions include tomb epitaphs, dedications to deities, and graffiti, which offer insights into the daily lives and beliefs of its speakers.

The decline of the Oscan language began with the expansion of Roman power in Italy during the late Republic. As Latin became the dominant language of administration, law, and culture, Oscan gradually fell out of use. By the early imperial period, Oscan had largely disappeared as a spoken language, though its influence can still be traced in certain regional dialects and place names.