Osi (ancient tribe)

Ancient tribes around 1 AD; the Osii are to be seen near the top centre of the map
Roman Empire ca. 125 AD; the Osi are to be seen south of the Tatra Mountains

The Osi or Osii were an ancient tribe dwelling beyond the Quadi, in a woody and mountainous country.[1] But their national customs, as well as their language, were those of the Pannonians. They were, moreover, tributary to the Quadi and Sarmatae. The exact districts they inhabited cannot be determined, nor do we know whether they had migrated into Francia from Pannonia, or whether they were an ancient remnant of Pannonians in those districts.

The ethnicity of the Osi is a matter of debate: some claim they were Germanic,[2] others Celtic,[3] others Dacian.[4] But most likely the customs, manners, language and ethnicity were a mixture of two of them or all of them as was common in those areas in Central Europe and the Balkans.

References

  1. ↑ Tacitus Germ. 28, 43.
  2. ↑ E.g., Smith, s.v. Osi
  3. ↑ E.g., Celtic Encycloedia
  4. ↑ E.g., Romanian History and Culture

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Osi". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray. 

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