Falerii

Quick Facts: Who was Falerii?

Subject:

Falerii

Known for:

Ancient Etruscan city, Falerii Veteres, a key center for the Falisci people.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Falerii is a village in the municipality of Fabrica di Roma in the Province of Viterbo, Italy. Its name is better known for two nearby ancient cities, Falerii Veteres (old Falerii) and Falerii Novi (new Falerii). Falerii Veteres, now Civita Castellana, was one of the chief cities of the duodecim populi of ancient Etruria. The site is about 2 km west of the course of the Via Flaminia, some 50 km north of Rome. It was the main city of the Falisci, a people whose language was Faliscan and was part of the Latino-Faliscan language group.

Career & Major Achievements

The Ager Faliscus (Faliscan Country), which included the towns of Capena, Nepet, and Sutrium, was close to the Monti Cimini. The site of the original Falerii is a plateau, about 1100 × 400 m, not higher than the surrounding country (140 m) but separated from it by gorges over 60 m in depth, and only connected with it on the western side, which was strongly fortified with a mound and ditch. The rest of the city was defended by walls constructed of rectangular blocks of tuff of which some remains still exist. According to legend, Falerii Veteres was of Argive origin. Strabo's assertion that the population, the Falisci, were of a different race from the Etruscans is supported by the evidence of the inscriptions which have been found here.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

They were written in a Latin dialect. Most of the surviving inscriptions date back to the second half of the fourth century BC and the first half of the third century BC. The Faliscan language survived "the domination of the [surrounding] Etruscan culture, as well as, for a long time, the expansion of the Romans". Falerii was relatively close to Rome, and the Faliscans viewed the Romans as a threat to their security. For this reason, they supported the Etruscan cities of Veii and Fidenae (which was near Veii, on the other bank of the river) in their conflicts with Rome in the fifth century.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1100: 1100 Milestone — The site of the original Falerii is a plateau, about 1100 × 400 m, not higher than the surrounding country (140 m) but separated from it by gorges over 60 m in depth, and only connected with it on the western side, which was strongly fortified with a mound and ditch.

Notable Quotes by Falerii

“As these two States [Falerii and the nearby Capena] were nearest in point of distance, they believed that if Veii fell they would be the next on whom Rome would make war.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Falerii

True or False: “The Faliscan language was entirely absorbed by Latin without leaving any discernible linguistic traces.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Evidence from inscriptions shows the Faliscan language survived for a long time, retaining features distinct from pure Roman Latin.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abd al-Mu'min — Historical peer (Born in 1100) (1100): Founder and first Caliph of the powerful Almohad Caliphate.
• Alan Rufus — Historical peer (Born in 1100) (1100): Breton nobleman and kinsman of William the Conqueror, granted the Honour of Richmond.
• Falisci — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Ancient Italic tribe from northern Lazio, known for its connection to the Etruscans and resistance against Rome.
• Falklands War — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A 1982 undeclared war between Argentina and the UK over the Falkland Islands.
• Fall of Babylon — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The fall of the Neo-Babylonian Empire to the Achaemenid Persians in 539 BCE.
• Fall of Constantinople — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The 1453 Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, ending the Byzantine Empire.

Frequently Asked Questions about Falerii