Thunatae

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.^[1]

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).^[2]

Geography

According to Strabo the Thunatae were a Dardanian tribe who bordered with the Thracian Maedi in the east.^[3][2]

Some scholars have suggested that the Thunatae may have been a Thracian people or probably strongly influenced by the neighbouring Thracians.^[2][4] However Strabo explicitly considers the Thunatae as a Dardanian people, also separating them from the Thracian tribe Maedi, hence from the Thracians.^[3] Strabo's account provides evidence that in their eastern territory the Dardanians bordered the Thracians.^[3]

See also

• Dardania (Roman province)
• List of ancient tribes in Illyria