BRUTTIUM

Bruttium was a country in the "Toe" of Italy , roughly corresponding to modern Calabria. The name comes from the ancient tribe of Bruttii, who occupied the area before the Greeks colonized it began in the 8th century BC. The Bruttii retained their independence until 280 BC, when they helped the Greek king Pyrrhus of Epirus in his war against the Romans. After defeating Pyrrhus, the Romans invaded Bruttium and occupied most of the country.

The Bruttii aided the Carthaginian general Hannibal during the Second Punic War (218-201 BC), resulting in their final crushing as an separate entity.