Quindici

Quindici is a town and comune of the province of Avellino in the Campania region of southern Italy. Its population is about 3,000 inhabitants. Bracigliano, Forino, Lauro, Moschiano, Sarno and Siano are nearby towns. Quindici has been inhabited by Ausonians, Osci, Etruscans, Greeks and Samnites, followed by the Romans who named the village Quindecim. The name Quindici, implying fifteen, is derived from the Latin word ‘Quindecim’. A local legend states that the town was founded by fifteen deserters of Barbarossa's army during the Middle Ages. This legend is unfounded; archeological evidence suggests that human settlements in the area date back to pre-Roman times. Original settlers were likely Samnites from either the Pentri, Carricini, Caudini or Irpini tribes. The Fusco clan, a subset of the Pentris, were early settlers and became one of Quindici's principal families. Legend suggests they were the lead clan of fifteen, preying on merchant caravans that made the trek overland from the coastal city of Barium after offloading goods from the east.