The Thunatae (Ancient Greek: Θουνᾶται) were a Dardanian tribe, along with the Galabri, mentioned by Strabo. The Thunatae are mentioned as neighbors of the Maedi, a Thracian tribe.
Name
The tribe is mentioned by Ancient Greek author Strabo in his Geographica as Θουνᾶται Thunatai. The tribal name Thunatae/Thunatai has been connected to the Messapic name Daunioi/Daunii in Apulia (south-eastern Italy).
Geography
According to Strabo the Thunatae were a Dardanian tribe who bordered with the Thracian Maedi in the east.
Some scholars have suggested that the Thunatae may have been a Thracian people or probably strongly influenced by the neighbouring Thracians. However Strabo explicitly considers the Thunatae as a Dardanian people, also separating them from the Thracian tribe Maedi, hence from the Thracians. Strabo's account provides evidence that in their eastern territory the Dardanians bordered the Thracians.
See also
- Dardania (Roman province)
- List of ancient tribes in Illyria
References
Bibliography
