(anc. geog.), a people of Italy, next to the Samnites, to the south-east, and descendants from them; situated to the north of the Picentini, and to the west of the Apuli, having on the north the Apennin and a part of Samnium. The name is from Hirpus, a term denoting a wolf in their language; either because under the conduct of this animal the colony was led and settled, according to Strabo; or because, like that prowling animal, they lived on plunder, according to Servius.