The Osci were an Italic people of Campania and Latium adiectum before and during Roman times. They spoke the Oscan language, also spoken by the Samnites of Southern Italy. Although the language of the Samnites was called Oscan, the Samnites were never referred to as Osci, nor were the Osci called Samnites.
Remains of the ancient Osco-Samnite settlement of Croccia-Cognato, located near Mount Croccia, in Basilicata region
Oscan inscription with relief on a terracotta artifact, first half of the 3rd century BC, found in a tomb near Capua, exhibited in the British Museum
Magna Graecia helmet in bronze, with inscription in Oscan language, Antonino Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum
Denarius of Marsican Confederation with Oscan legend
The Italic peoples were an ethnolinguistic group identified by their use of Italic languages, a branch of the Indo-European language family.
Return of the warrior. Detail of fresco from the Lucanian tomb, 4th century BC.
Main Italian cultures of the Copper Age
Indo-European Migrations. Source David Anthony (2007). The Horse, The Wheel and Language.
Samnite theater in Pietrabbondante, Molise, Italy