How can material culture be related to written history? The archaeological record of ancient Satricum (Borgo, Le Ferriere, Latium) pents an interesting case study. During the fifth and fourth centuries BC, the area was reportedly invaded by the Volscians. This Central-Italian people had long been archaeologically invisible, but recent investigations at Satricum have brought to light a rich record of material remains from precisely this period. The question is: does it reflect a Volscian presence or prove the continued occupation of the original, Latin inhabitants? This study argues that the material culture does indeed reflect a Volscian presence, but that it in no way confirms the barbarian image presented by ancient sources such as Livy. Marijke Gnade has lectured on Italian Archaeology at the University of Amsterdam since 1987. After participating in the Satricum Research Project for ten years, she became its executive director in 1991. Her first book on the subject, The Southwest Necropolis of Satricum, was published in 1992.