Osi (tribe)

The Osi or Osii were an ancient tribe dwelling north of the Marcomanni and Quadi, in a woody and mountainous country.

Their national customs, as well as their language, were those of the Aravisci, who Tacitus called Pannonians.

The exact districts they inhabited cannot be determined, nor do we know whether they had migrated from Pannonia, or whether they were an ancient remnant of Pannonians in those districts.

Tacitus described the Osi as living "behind" (Latin: retro) the Marcomanni, moving north from the river Danube.

[1] Tacitus described them as a Germanic "natio", using that term in a geographical sense.

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