Daunians

The Daunians (Latin: Daunii) were a Iapygian tribe that inhabited northern Apulia in classical antiquity. Two other Iapygian tribes, the Peucetians and the Messapians, inhabited central and southern Apulia, respectively. Although all three tribes spoke the Messapic language, they had developed separate archaeological cultures by the seventh century BC.

The Daunians lived in the region of Daunia, which extended from the eastern slopes of the Daunian Mountains (in the southwest) to the Gargano peninsula (in the northeast). This region coincides mainly with the province of Foggia and part of the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani today. Daunians and Oscans came into contact in northern Daunia and southern Samnite regions. Gradually, parts of northern Daunia became "Oscanized".