Marsi
The Marsi (or Marruvii or Marrubii according to Virgil) were a tribe living in ancient Italy in an area east of modern Rome. The centre of their region was Marruvium (modern San Benedetto dei Marsi) on the shore of Lake Fucinus (modern Marsica) which was drained in the late 19th century and no longer exists as such.
History
A tough, warlike mountain people, from about 800 BCE - 580 BCE they were under rule by the Etruscans then until 325 BCE under the Samnites.
In 325 they allied themselves with Rome (and are first documented). However in 309 BCE they turned against Rome and joined the Samnites. On the latter's defeat they returned to Rome in 304 BCE; as punishment for their revolt, Rome took land from the Marsi.
In 90 BCE the Maris joined with other tribes fighting the Social War against Rome; during this time the Marsi sealed their reputation as warriors and were regarded as the best of the forces opposing Rome. Following the war, Rome took direct control of the region and granted the people Roman citizenship (the lack of which had been one of the causes of the Social War).
In 570 CE, the Lombards took over the region.
Religion
The chief divinity of the Marsi was the ancient snake goddess Angitia with snakes a potent symbol of wisdom in their culture.
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