Exploring Cultural Contacts in Iron Age Italy: The Significance of Venetic Inscriptions

The pre-Roman peoples of Italy, particularly during the Iron Age, experienced significant cultural interactions that shaped their societies. This article explores the case of the Venetic inscriptions as a key example of cultural contact in Iron Age Italy. The Veneti, an ancient people inhabiting the northeastern region of Italy, left behind a corpus of inscriptions that offer insight into their interactions with neighboring cultures such as the Etruscans, Greeks, and other Italic tribes. The study of these inscriptions reveals the complex nature of cultural exchange, language development, and the diffusion of artistic and technological innovations. Through an analysis of these inscriptions, this paper examines the role of the Veneti in the broader context of Iron Age Italy’s cultural landscape, emphasizing the significance of their scripts and material culture.