Messapian (also known as "Messapic") is an extinct Indo-European language of South-Eastern Italy, in the regions of Apulia and Calabria.

The language was preserved in about 260 inscriptions dating from the 6th to the 1st century BC.

Some linguists believe that there are some connections with the Illyrian language on the other side of the Adriatic Sea, the link being based on personal names found on tomb inscriptions, since hardly any traces of Illyrian language are left.

The language became extinct after the Roman Empire conquered this land and assimilated the inhabitants.

Language sample

klohi zis thotoria marta pido vastei basta veinan aran in daranthoa vasti staboos xohedonas daxtassi vaanetos inthi trigonoxo a staboos xohetthihi dazimaihi beiliihi inthi rexxorixoa kazareihi xohetthihi toeihithi dazohonnihi inthi vastima daxtas kratheheihi inthi ardannoa poxxonnihi a imarnaihi

undeciphered; from the Vaste inscription (Corpus Inscriptionum Messapicarum 149)

nl:Messapisch