Picenum
Picenum was an ancient region located in eastern Italy, stretching along the Adriatic coast between Ancona and the territory of the Senones to the north, and extending south to the river Sagrus (Sangro), bordering the Vestini. This area is notable for its rich archaeological heritage, particularly inhumation cemeteries dating from the ninth to the sixth centuries BCE. Artifacts from this period, such as large bronze rings found in women’s tombs, suggest a connection to the worship of a mother goddess, known as the Dea Cupra. The inscriptions in Picenum reflect two distinct cultural influences: a southern group linked to the Illyrians and a northern group associated with trade routes from central Europe.
Picenum came under Roman control in 268 BCE and was later integrated into the Roman administrative system, receiving citizenship for its inhabitants after the Social War in 90 BCE. The region had notable historical figures, including Cnaeus Pompeius Strabo and his son, Pompey the Great, who had significant ties to Picenum. By around 200 CE, Picenum was incorporated into the province of Flaminia et Picenum, which was later divided into two administrative districts. The evolution of Picenum reflects the broader changes in Italy during the Roman era, showcasing a blend of local traditions and external influences.
Subject Terms
Picenum
(Marche, Abruzzo)
A region of eastern (Adriatic) Italy extending between Ancona and the region of the Senones to the north—the early Iron Age Picenes had dwelt north of this border as well—and the river Sagrus (Sangro) and the Vestini to the south. Rich inhumation cemeteries from the ninth to the sixth centuries BC have come to light. At the end of this period, in an area centered on Cupra Maritima (Cupra Marittima), large bronze rings found in women's tombs seem to relate to the worship of a mother goddess, the Dea Cupra. The inscriptions in the area fall into two categories: a southern (`Old Sabellic’) group—which like the material culture of the region displays close affinities with the Illyrians across the Adriatic, attested, for example, by a type of brooch known as the `spectacle fibula’—and a northern group which displays links with the overland traffic (including amber) arriving at the head of the Adriatic from central Europe. Picenum underwent conquest by the Romans in 268, and was distributed among Roman settlers by the Flaminian Law (232).
It was at Asculum (Ascoli Piceno) that the Italian insurrection against Rome known as the Social War broke out in 90. After the war, Picenum, like the rest of Italy south of the Padus (Po), received Roman citizenship. Cnaeus Pompeius Strabo, who had put down the rebellion in Picenum, was a native of the territory, in which his family possessed great estates and numerous adherents. This influence (clientela) was inherited by his son Pompey the Great, who was, therefore, greatly disappointed when at the outset of the Civil War in 49 Picenum went over to his enemy Julius Caesar without a blow.
Under Augustus it constituted one of the regions of Italy, but c 200 AD was joined to northeast Umbria (Flaminia) to form the district or province of Flaminia et Picenum, later divided into two parts, Annonaria and Suburbicaria, assigned respectively to the two administrative dioceses of Italy that bore those names. See alsoAncona, Asculum, Firmum.