The Bruttii come from the southern extremity of Italy. They are an excellent melee infantry capable of developing different roles thanks to their good equipment and courage in battle.

Hardy
Sapping Ability

The Bruttii come from the southern extremity of Italy. The Bruttians have risen to become a powerful nation, though they were for many years subjects of the Lucanians. The name of Bruttii was given by the Lucanians themselves, and signified in their language fugitive slaves or rebels. The Bruttians derived an alternate etymology, tracing their people to a famous eponymous ancestor: Bruttus, son of Hercules and Valentia.

These Bruttian Infantry are dependable medium infantry. They carry two pila which they throw before an engaging in close melee with their swords. They are well armored with a variety of bronze pectorales and armored belts, typical of the Oscan warrior class. Their helmets show Greek and Italian influence, the type of which is now known as Italo-Attic. They are an excellent melee infantry capable of developing different roles thanks to their good equipment and courage in battle.

Historically, the Bruttians were great warriors. They defeated Alexander, king of Epirus in 326 BC. Alexander had crossed over into Italy to help the Greek cities there, and enjoyed a successful campaign until his army was defeated and he was killed in a battle near Pandosia against the combined forces of the Lucanians and Bruttians. The Bruttians, like other Oscan tribes, found frequent service in the armies of the enemies of Rome. They fought for Pyrrhus, and fought alongside Hannibal in the Second Punic War. The Bruttians even followed Hannibal when he made his retreat from Italy and formed the majority of Hannibal veterans in the Battle of Zama.

The Romans never forgave the Bruttians for their hearty service to the Carthaginian cause. After the Second Punic War was over, the Romans punished and humiliated the Bruttians, depriving them of a great part of their territory, and reduced the Bruttians to little more than a servile state. They were no longer used as allies in the Roman army, and could only find public service as couriers and in other menial positions at the service of Roman magistrates.