Iapyges



The Iapyges or Iapygians were an Indo-European people who inhabited the heel of Italy (modern Apulia) before being absorbed by the Romans.

Identity
The Iapyges have unknown origins but could have been from Illyria.

They spoke the Messapian language since the Messapians themselves were the southernmost tribe of the Iapyges. Their other tribes included the Dauni and the Peucetii.

The name Iapyges is derived from Greek authors who linked the tribe's origin to Dedalus's son Iapyges. They were called Apuli, Salentini (or Sallentini) and Calabri by Roman authors. Iapygians were akin to the Oenotrians, an ancient Italic people who lived in the territory of Basilicata and Northern Calabria.

Herodotus gives a mythological tale of origin from the island of Crete.