The origins of Pompeii are a matter of debate. Although traces dating back to the 9th century BC have been found in the city, their nature is such that they do not provide definitive evidence of the existence of a settlement there at that time. In any case, most experts agree that the city probably existed as early as the 6th century B.C. with the dimensions it had in historical times and was inhabited by the Oscians, an Italic ethnic group from southern Italy, as mentioned by Strabo in his work "Geography."