The imposing Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi consists of two churches; the lower one in Romanesque style dates from around 1230, and the upper church in Gothic style opened in 1253. The greatest artists of the 13th and 14th century (Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini and Pietro Lorenzetti) worked on the decoration of the Basilica, and left on its walls the most complex of medieval Italian painting.
The inscriptions in the caves at Favignana are very interesting and have been the subject of a great deal of research. This article looks at some of the outcome of the research...
Scholars who have distinguished themselves for the discovery and interpretation of various Punic inscriptions were Anna Maria Bisi and Benedetto Rocco (See A.M. Bisi, “Favignana. Nuove scoperte archeologiche”, in “Sicilia Archeologica”["Favignana. New Archaeological Discoveries", in "Archaeological Sicily"], III, 1970: 13 seq. and B. Rocco, “La grotta del Pozzo a Favignana”, in “Sicilia Archeologica”[ "The Cave of the Well in Favignana," in "Archaeological Sicily"], 1972, No. 17: 9-20).
Aci Trezza is a relatively “new” town, having been born in the seventeenth century, and not very wide, but it has a name that poses significant problems of interpretation for scholars. With regard to the first part of the name, or "Aci", the most common guess is that it derives from the river "Akis", mentioned not only by various Greek and Latin authors (Ovid. Met., XIII, 750; Sil. Ital ., XIV, 221-226) but also by Al-Idrisi (1099-1165), the Arab geographer at the Court of the Norman King Roger (1095-1154): "[…] To Catania six miles. To ‘Al-anqinah’ (‘Ognina’) three miles. To 'gazair Liag' (the islands of Aci, today 'Rocks of the Cyclops') three miles; to the river of Aci three miles […] "(See Al Idrisi, “L’italia descritta nel ‘Libro di Ruggero’”, edited by M. Amari, Salviucci, 1883: 67).
The question about the origins and antiquity of Acireale is rather complex. According to tradition, the city's development would follow this way: "Xiphonia"> "Akis"> "Jachium"> "Aquilia (Vetere and Nova)> “Jaci” (16th century) and Acireale. But the “family tree” so made up from the beginning showed evident ambiguities that the progress of studies have increasingly widened.
All the Aeolian islands are of volcanic origin.
The islands were inhabited since the Neolithic period, as evidenced by findings in the Castle of Lipari, the largest island of the archipelago, and also on the island of Panarea where a prehistoric village was found more than 50 years ago. The finds consist of decorated pottery and some obsidian objects . (Obsidian is a glassy rock of volcanic origin which splinters into very sharp blades and was the subject of a flourishing trade among all the countries of the Mediterranean Sea.)
In 1210 Aidone was defined as “terra” ["land"], a term that refers to the concept of fairly important town, walled and with its own administrative offices, which also exercised some control over the surrounding area (See F. Maurici, “Il vocabolario delle fortificazioni...”, in Atti del Convegno internazionale di studi, Rome, De Luca, 1998: 25-39 and p. 10, footnote 83 of the extract). In 1210, therefore Aidone was a remarkable city, and the age is that of Frederick II of Swabia, but the town is very ancient. It seems to be the direct heir of “Morgantina”, not far from Aidone, which was precisely identified with Morgantina by many scholars, and as an outpost of Chalcidian penetration toward the plain north of Lentini (Erim 1958, Piraino 1959, Adamesteanu 1956, Suöqvist 1960, Tsakirgis 1995, Bell 2000) [See Giada Giudice, “Il Tornio, la nave, le terre lontane”, Rome, 2007: 265 and note 95). Now the identification between Morgantina and Aidone meets almost unanimous consents" (See "Archaeological Institute bulletin Germany", 1975, Vol. 82, p. 33 and note 51).
Morgantina was founded, according to historical sources in 560 BC by Chalcidian colonists in an area formerly inhabited by the Sicules, located in a extremely good climate area full of sources and building materials, certainly better than Aidone, located about 200 meters higher than Morgantina.
Akrai was founded in 664 BC and was located on the flat top of a hill west of “Palazzolo Acreide”. This site, adopted strictly according to military criteria, allowed to dominate the upper reaches of the Anapo River. With regard to the ancient history of Akrai, we find the only direct reference to a city with this name in the treaty between Rome and Syracuse dating back to 203 BC. The Akrai name is passed in this form by Thucydides (490-395 BC) and Diodorus (1st century BC), while Stephanus Byzantinus (6th century AD) wrote "Akra".
Alatri is situated on the slopes of the “Ernici” mountains, near “Frosinone”. The Romans called it "Aletrium" (or "Alatrium"), but the etymological studies to date have failed to produce reliable and incontrovertible results, because "Aletrium" is not of Latin origin, as also witnessed the great Latin playwright Plautus (254-184 BC), who called "Alatrium" a "Barbaric Urbs", a "city of the barbarians", because it was built by people external to Italy (See C.O. Muller, “Sur le sens du mot barbarica chez Plaute”, in “Annales de l 'institut de correspondance Archéologique”, 1832, Vol. 4: 379). It is so obvious that the etymology of the city was sought in other languages. The hypotheses proposed in the past postponed to roots of Hebrew or Phoenician words.
The archaeological remains of the area where Alba is located date back to the Neolithic Age, and witness the first human presence between the sixth and the third millennium BC. The ancient settlement, quite extensive, was located on the left bank of the Cherasca River, just before the confluence with the Tanaro River.
It is quoted by some classical and epigraphic sources by the name of “Alba Pompeia”, in honor of the consul Cneius Pompeius Strabo (150-80 BC), who, in the year 89 BC, granted Roman citizenship to Cisalpine Gaul: “[…] Alba Pompeia Colonia fuit a Pompeio deducta […]” [“Alba Pompeia was a colony founded by Pompeius"] (See V. De Conti, “Notizie storiche di Casale del Monferrato” ["Historical Perspectives of Casale Monferrato], Mantelli, 1838: 294).
Albenga (“Albium Ingaunum”) is an ancient city, inhabited by the Ligurian “Ingauni”, which later became a Roman municipality. The etymology is similar to "Albium Intimilium (" Ventimiglia ") that has its roots in an ancient term,"Albon" (city), while the second term refers to people of “Ingauni”, who founded it, and were probably they engaged in commerce.
Indeed, G. Semerano writes that "[...] the ethnic name 'Ingauni' clarifies the nature of the population settled in the Ligurian coastal plain area, devoted to trade and commerce [...]" (See G. Semerano, "The Origins of European Culture ", Olschki, 1984, p. 554). “Albium Ingaunum” was founded between the VI and IV century BC, but the place where it stood is uncertain. Some scholars have suggested, in any way, that "[...] the old ‘Albium Ingaunum’ was probably located on the same area occupied then by the Roman city, which coincides with the modern Old Town [...] (See B. Massabò , "'Albingaunum': Archaeological tours of Albenga, Ministry of Heritage and Culture, 2004, p. 8).
The story of Alberobello is truly unique and curious. The Counts of Conversano offered many advantages to the early inhabitants of the place, but without granting them civic rights, privileges or any form of ownership. In fact, the peasants could reside in the forest but with an express prohibition on building homes using any type of lime, according to the law known as the "Pragmatic ‘De Baronibus’", that forbade build houses without authorization.
To get around this prohibition the houses known as "casedde" ("small houses") were built without the use of lime, thus "stone by stone", ready to be torn down for an inspection.
In the article about the history of Castellammare-del-Golfo (close to Alcamo) we alluded to the fact that this territory was part of the ancient settlement in the Elymi; in fact, during the archaeological excavations some achromatic and black ceramics relating to the Elymi were found, although in small amounts. In fact, the ancient civilizations of the Elymi is present in the historical sources, but it is rather fading in archeology.
Born as a nuragic village, Alghero was occupied in the ancient times before by the Carthaginians and then by the Romans, developing a significant economic activity. The village was an important milestone in the itinerary of the merchants in transit from the main ports of ancient trade, i.e., from the Roman "Nymphaeus" ("Porto Conte") and the thriving “Turris Libyssonis” (the current "Porto Torres").
According to historians the origins of the town date back to the first half of the 11th century, when the Genoese Doria family did strengthen a fishing village along the northwest coast of Sardinia. So was born a port of considerable strategic importance that, for the amount of marine plants deposited currents along the coast, took the name “Aleguerium”, based on the medieval Latin form found in the documents of Doria, (“Salighera” in Sardinian language, and “Alguer” in Catalan). Thanks to its geographical position, Alghero was much scope in businesses which took place in the Mediterranean, therefore the Genoese had defended it against the Pisan and Aragonian attacks.
Between the sixth and third century BC was erected an imposing city walls (the so-called “megalithic walls”), which are visible today in some parts of Altamura. From the following century, the city experienced a substantial decline, and it was only in the Middle Ages that Altamura regained some importance, thanks to Emperor Frederick II of Swabia (1194-1250), who re-made the city, repopulating and calling it "Altamura" for the presence of high megalithic walls.
Many residents of the surrounding areas arrived in the new city , as also Greeks and Jews, the last of which still occupied a district called "Giudecca" , where they built a synagogue. Frederick II ordered the construction of the Cathedral (1232), destined to become one of the most revered shrines of Puglia.
The first nucleus of ancient “Anagni” dates back to the “Ernici”, a population which had to give way to the expansion of the Romans around 300 BC. The land on which Anagni is located, however, was already inhabited in prehistoric times, as shown some fossils of the "Homo Erectus" (the oldest in Italy), recently discovered in the valley. Some important traces of the Roman city are the so-called “Arcazzi”, imposing travertine arches that open onto the northern side of the wall. Renovated several times, however, was the monumental “Porta Cerere”, which was the main access to Anagni, even at the time of Ernici.
The ancient name of Anghiari, the town in Tuscany not far from Sansepolcro and “Città di Castello”, was "Anglarium" - the name certainly derives from the expression "Castrum Angulare", a reference to a “Triangular Castle” i.e. the nucleus of the village, which, as with Sansepolcro, belonged to the powerful and wealthy Monastery of Camaldoli. (Note however that the scholar Gino Franceschini believes that Anghiari derives from the word for "gravel", because the city is situated on gravel accumulated by the Tiber River over the centuries.)
In the oldest document in which it is mentioned Anghiari dates back to 1083, when Bernardo, called “Sidonia” and the son of Rainier, the Lord of Galbino and Montedoglio (a vassal of the Marquis of Mont St. Mary), bought a portion of the castle and the jurisdiction of Anghiari from his brother Alberich.
Aquileia was founded in 181 BC in a strategic place to control the two critical boundaries of the second century BC, the so-called "Amber Road", which connected the transalpine world with the sea and the karst area, that could be subject to invasions from the East. In 186 there was an invasion by Transalpine Gaul towards the “Venetia”. They built an “oppidum”, a "fortified city". In 183 the Roman Senate decided the foundation of Aquileia.
The reasons that led him to found a city in that place were many, as the easiest to defend the eastern area by barbarian populations. In 181 BC it was deducted as a colony of Latin Law (or a city with its own senate, but depending on foreign policy from Rome), in which were immediately transferred a large number of soldiers with their families.
History
Some studies about the territory have established that, during the Neolithic period, not well identified different populations lived in the areas of the plain of the River Sarca, founding, in the Bronze and Iron Age new settlements.
In the twelfth century Arco underwent the domain of a noble Family from Bavaria, who conquered the castle, probably erected by Theodoric (454-526), obtaining by the official feudal investiture of Arco by Bishop of Trento, Altemanno (12th century).
Assisi is situated on the slopes of Mount Subasio, and it is well known worldwide for being the birthplace of St. Francis; the Romans called it "Asisium" and "Asis" (Propertius [50-15 BC]). But, apparently, "Asisium” was the Romanization of a most ancient name, because Assisi, as has been proved by archaeological studies, pre-existed the Roman conquest. Since it is situated in a location where many people came together from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds (Umbrian, Etruscan and Picenes), it seems unlikely that we can establish the original root of the name "Assisi." In this sense, some scholars have rightly said that the investigation about the etymology of Assisi, at present, “seems stranded in the ‘Limbo’ of postulates.”
History
Atrani was formerly a Greek and then an Etruscan emporium; from the sixth century the village became part of the Republic of Amalfi. In its church had invested with the office and also buried the Dukes of the Republic. Since the mid-eleventh century it had various rulers, such as the Normans, Swabians, French and Spanish. Atrani was sacked in 1135 and in 1137 by Pisa, and later, King Manfredi moved in it a Saracen colony, chased then by Charles of Anjou.
Atri is a town in the Province of Teramo, and it is strategically located on a terrace overlooking the Adriatic Sea, with a very particular territory for the presence of the so-called "calanchi", i.e. geological formations caused by the erosion of clayey soil. The area of Atri was inhabited since the Iron Age, as shown by archaeological finds; the most accredited hypothesis about the origins of the city are two; the most likely says that the town was founded by the Etruscans; while the second connects Atri to the existence in the area of a colony founded by Dionysius of Syracuse (405-367 BC). The etymology of Atri seems to be related to a family name; G. Serra, on the subject, writes: "Adria et Hatria. 1) nomen urbis in Piceno, patria familiae Hadriani Imperatoris, hodie 'Atri', which seems to make up the current name of the ancient variant 'Atria', 'Hatria' (third century BC) (...) nomen pers. et quidem multa in gente Romana”"[“Adria "Hatria", the name of a city of Piceno, home of the family of Emperor Hadrian, now called "Atri", name of person very common among the Romans”] (See G. Serra, "Outlines of a Linguistic History of Medieval Italy", Liguori, 1965: 56). Anyway, a very detailed analysis of the origins of the term "Ater" ("dark"), which we find in many Italian names, was made by G. Recchia, who notes that "Ater" is linked to the presence of a river or water: "[...] G. Devoto specifies that the Umbria river 'Nera' was among the first to be inhabited by proto-Villanovan called 'Naharani / Na-harti'.
This area, because of its specific climatic and natural conditions, in the eighteenth century was selected by many members of the aristocracy to build their villas of Baroque style. The history of Bagheria and its founders is in many ways fascinating and "mysterious", all things that even today goad the imagination and curiosity of visitors.
Even Bagheria, like many cities in Sicily is a "New Town", founded in the mid-seventeenth century, in the particular context of re-population of the immense Sicilians estates, in view of increased agricultural yield of lands to meet the food needs of the local populations. In ancient times, therefore, Bagheria did not exist, while there was a vast area known as "Bagheria”, populated only with rare scattered hamlets in the countryside, dotted with watch towers that are still largely visible today, such as the “Valdina” Tower, which dating back to the sixteenth century.
The first town at Barletta that, in Norman times, became an important commercial and fortified centre, formed around the church in the tenth century AD. The city had a strategic role in the control of the territory and was an important religious centre.
The heyday of the town was between the fourteenth and fifteenth century under the rule of the Angevins and Aragonese. Between the seventeenth and eighteenth century the city had, however, a remarkable period of crisis, from which it drew up only in the Napoleonic age, in the second half of the eighteenth century.
The town of Bassano-del-Grappa has very ancient origins, and we know it was inhabited in prehistoric times, as shown by archaeological finds and a protovillanovian necropolis (X-VIII century B.C.) discovered around St. George in Angarano.
Bassano was conquered by the Romans, who called it Bossianus.
Around the tenth century a fortress was built that was later transformed into a castle, with some houses around it - the first real core of Bassano. In early 1200 the famous 'Bridge of Bassano' was built. In the Middle Ages and up until the fifteenth century, Bassano suffered was defeated by many Italian Seignoiries: the Vicenza, the Scaligeri (Scala family from Verona), the Visconti from Milan and Padua all established their domination of Bassano at different times.
Bergamo is a city of a very ancient origin, perhaps even pre-roman. According to an ancient legend, Bergamo was founded by Cidno, son of Ligure and a descendant of Noah. In reality we know that in Bergamo there were human settlements already in prehistoric times, the Ligurian and Umbrian, who in the VI century B.C. were conquered by the Etruscans.
Bergamo owes its name to the Gauls, founding it once again after its destruction, and calling it "Berg-hem", literally meaning the "House in the mountain". In Roman time the name was Latinized as Bergamum. Under the Roman domination, Bergamo was a city of great importance and was surrounded by mighty walls. The city flourished from agricultural and commercial activities, and according to Polybius and Cicero it had a fruitful soil.
Bevagna is situated in a fertile valley of Umbria, crossed by rivers Topino Timia, Clitumnus and Attone, just 200 meters above sea level. Bevagna, which the Romans called "Mevania, although it entry in the history with the Roman conquest, has a tradition much older. Archaeological excavations have, in fact, revealed that the territory of Bevagna was already inhabited in prehistoric times, then, in the seventh century BC, by the Umbrians and probably by Etruscans, if it’s true, as some Italians and foreign scholars think, that the etymology of ancient "Mevania" has its roots in the Etruscan word "Mefana", which refers to a family name. Carlo Pietrangeli writes: [...] An indication of the persistence of Etruscans in territory of Mevania could be provided by the place names: the name of 'Mevania' may in fact derive from the noble Etruscan 'Mefana' [...]" (See C. Pietrangeli, "'Mevania' (Bevagna): Regio VI Umbria, Institute of Roman Studies, Rome, 1953: 22.).
History
Inhabited since Prehistoric times, the area of Bitonto, in the Iron Age, underwent an Illyrian invasion, and populations from the opposite shore of the Adriatic formed in Puglia the ethnic area of the “Japigi” (the “Apuli” in Classic Age) with Dauni and Peucezian. “Bitontum” was a town of Peucetii, such as Metapontum, Hidruntum, Tarentum, Sipontum. Invested by the cultural influences of the “Magna Graecia” Peoples “Bitontini” retained intact their independence until the Roman invasion.
The town of Brescia is situated at the outlet of an important Alpine Valley, the Trompia Valley. Unlike Bergamo to the west it developed in the flat country at the foot of the mountain. The location reveals the importance that the city has had since ancient times for the control of the Trompia Valley and the surrounding countryside.
The oldest nucleus of the city was in the hill named Cidneo that stretched towards the plain - in ancient times the plains were covered by swamps and marshes. It was here that first the Ligurians and then the Etruscans established themselves.
Bressanone (Brixen), which was inhabited from the Neolithic era, in Roman times was conquered by Drusus (38-9 BC), stepson of emperor Augustus (63 BC-14 AD) in 15 BC and incorporated into the Roman province of "Rhaetia". In 590 AD, after the fall of the Roman Empire, this land was incorporated into the Duchy of Bavaria. King Louis the Child (891-911), the last King of the Carolingians, in 901 gave the royal court "Prichsna" the bishop Zacharias (XI century).
Around the year 1000 was born the city, surrounded by walls, which, after the donation of the Inn Valley Counties and of Isarco, made in 1027 by Emperor Conrad II (990-1039) in favour of the bishop of Brixen Artvigo, became the capital of the country. In the thirteenth century, much of the territory was usurped by the Counts of Tyrol. The Ecclesiastic Principality of the Holy Roman Empire with its three city of Bressanone, Brunico and Klausen, including some jurisdictions in nearby valleys, lasted until 1803.
Brunico (Bruneck) is ideally situated at the heart of important roads; indeed the Puster Valley was already inhabited in prehistoric times, as evidenced by the numerous remains found in Dobbiaco, Monguelfo and Brunico (See the important study by M. Borda, " A ‘Mansio’ in Noricum: 'Sebatum' in 'Cultura Atesina ", 3 (1949): 4 ff.). As regards Brunico, it is situated in an area, such as the Puster Valley, which is rich in castles. After Drusus (38-9 BC) and Tiberius (42 BC-16 AD) conquered the settlements in the Isarco and Adige Valleys in 15 AD, the Romans penetrated deeper into the territory, reaching the Puster Valley.
Here the major settlements were "Sebatum" and "Littamum”, near San Candido. The Puster Valley was a very important area for the Romans, because it is situated on the great road that led from Aquileia to "Aguntum" (near Lienz); from "Aguntum" the road continued to Fortezza and the Brenner pass, once called “Pireneus”. From Brenner they progressed towards Valdidena (Wilten, near Innsbruck) and "Augusta Vindelicum" (Augusta).
We observe that by saying that Buscemi is of Arab origin, we are asserting an historical truth, but at the same time we make a glaring simplification. In fact, the site of Buscemi has a very ancient history, which over the centuries has attracted much interest among scholars.
G. Battaglia, at the beginning of the twentieth century, about Butera wrote: "There is nothing remarkable in Butera: only we see an ancient castle of Norman architecture in good condition on a rock " (See G. Battaglia, “Guida descrittiva della Sicilia”, G. Pedone Lauriel, 1904, p. 8). Today, the “anonymous” Butera of the early years of last century is one of the most important archaeological sites in Sicily.
Etymology of the name Cagnano Varano
The small town is situated on a hill which, according to tradition, was the seat of the Italic town of Uria, mentioned by Pliny (23-79 AD) and Strabo (58-25 BC). A. Zaccagni Orlandini so tells some stories of the city: "[...] Cagnano is situated on a hill about one mile from Lake Varano. They say that its origin is ancient, but Giustiniani found no documents proving this. Certainly, under the dominion of the Norman kings was given in fief to famous people, with other lands of the Gargano, and it was then granted to the family Cernitore, then to the Della Marra de Barulo. In the early seventeenth century it belonged to the family of De Vargas; King Alfonso ceded its rights about the town to his mother-in-law, the Marquise de Arpaia, who ruled it as a duchy. Later it came to Marra, to Vargas Caravaglio and then to the Roman family of the Pallavicino [...]" (See Zaccagni A. Orlandini, " Natural, Historical and Statistical Chorography of Italy”, Florence, 1845: 107-108).
The prehistoric site of Caltabellotta is pointed by two caves on top of Mount Pellegrino and four tombs called " Saracen Caves." However, despite the massive presence of the Arabs, the true history of Caltabellotta is much more complex.
The tangled history of the ancient town began with a justly famous essay by the German scholar Julius Schubring [1839-1914] (“Kamikos-Triokala-Caltabellotta”, in “Zeitschrift fur allgemaine Erdkund”, I, 1866, 133-158), in which were laid the foundations of the endless scientific debates that currently characterize the mysterious history of Caltabellotta. In the first part of his work, Schubring outlined a topographical picture of the area, while in the end of the essay he quoted the legend of Minos and drew his conclusions on "Kamikos" and "Triokala," the two toponyms that are at the basis of the ancient history of Caltabellotta.
We observe immediately that about the origins of Camerino arose, especially among historians of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, various interpretations which involved a lot of confusion. Today, studies have shown that the etymology of "Camerino" comes from the population of “Camertes”, widely scattered over a territory which belonged in Roman times to Umbria and now it is in the Marche; but some historian confused Camerino with “Cluvius” (Chiusi), which was located in Etruscan territory, and which was once called "Camars" ("Ad Clusium, quod 'Camars' Olim appellabant”, Livy (59 BC-17 AD), X, 25 [" At Chiusi, which was once called 'Camars' ]). The confusion arose from fact that "Camars" has the same basic of “Camerinum”. GB Pellegrini writes :"[...] Chiusi was an old name of 'Camar(s)' ['Kamar(s )']... Giacomo Devoto stresses the affinity of 'Camars'-'Chiusi' with Umbrian 'Camertes' (Livy, IX, 36), who lived on the Adriatic side of Apennines (Camerinum) [...]" (See GB Pellegrini,“Toponomastica Italiana”, ["Italian toponymy"] Hoepli, 1990, p. 24).
Caprarola is located just over 500 meters above sea level, on the eastern side of the “Cimini” Mountains, dominated by the "palace-fortress” built in the fifteenth century by the noble and powerful family of the Farnese. Although there are traces of prehistoric settlements in the form of piles in the lake of Vico, and some remains of Etruscan and Roman tombs in the place called “Barco”, the first historical documents about Caprarola date back to 1223, concerning the existence of a religious brotherhood.
History
Titus Livius (59 BC-17 AD) described Capua as one of the richest cities of Italy. At the time of the Roman historian it was extended on 200 hectares of land, and in the middle of a faithful territory planted with cereals and vines, full of trades and handicrafts. The archaeological documents certifies that the site was certainly inhabited from the 9th century BC, and that it was lived without interruption until the Roman age.
The first phase of the settlement is known mainly through the necropolis, the oldest of which dates back to the middle of the 9th century BC, and it was located in North-West of the city. Already from this first stage are attested some contact with the Greek world. The territory in the archaic age was located among the Volturno and "Clanis" Rivers and mount "Tifata" to the North; for this period, the Roman literary tradition speaks of Capua as the capital of the "dodecapoli" ("twelve cities") in Campania.
Thanks to the studies by V. Giustolisi, it is now established the identification of Carini with the ancient Hyccara, mentioned by Thucydides (460 – 395 BC), the '"Itinerarium Antonini" and on which also Al Idrisi (1099-1166) spoke.
Hykkara was certainly a Sikan town in the end of the fifth century (the domain of the Sikans extended to the district of Akragas (= Agrigento) to the south-east, while the north-west comprised the region of the Elimi, pushing in the northern part to the district of Hyccara and presumably to that of Panhormos [Palermo]), when it was destroyed by the Athenians and delivered by them to Segesta.
The origins of Carloforte date back to the 18th century, although the zone, for its particular shape, was exploited in the ancient world by Romans and Carthaginians as a port. The city was born to the immigration of the inhabitants of Tabarka, in Tunisia, since the site was attacked by pirates. The ancient Sea village was desired by the King of Sardinia, Carlo Emanuele III (1701-1773), with the intent to repopulate the island of Sardinia. He therefore allowed the allocation on the island of “San Pietro” a few hundred refugees of Tabarka.
The name of “Caronia”, the former "Kale Akte ', literally “the Beautiful Shore”, is inextricably linked to that of its founder, or Ducetius (died 44a BC) and his attempts to steal the Sicules to the overflowing Greek colonization. Truth to tell, the Greeks knew very well this part of Sicily, even before the foundation of Ducetius, and indeed there was an early attempt to found a colony on the "Beautiful Shore", but it failed.
A trial run to found "Kale Akte" was an unsuccesful attempt, and it was told by Herodotus [fifth century BC] (VI, 23); according to whom, the Samians, after the failure of the Ionian revolt against the Persians, were encouraged by Zancle to found a new colony in the area called " Kale Akte." They went on the northern coast of Sicily (about 493 BC), with some Milesians, with the aim of founding a city. So Herodotus told: "[...] The people of Zankle sent some messengers to invite the Ionians to 'Kale Akte', wishing to establish in that place an Ionian city. 'Kale Akte', as it is called, is in Sicily, in the part that overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea. Accepting this prompting, the Samians, sole among the Ionians, with some fugitives from Miletus, set out (...)
History
Turning now to historical data, we know that Carpino, over the centuries, was the domain of the Norman, Angevin and Aragonese. The Normans were responsible for the construction of the Castle, which with his imposing size overhanging the Old Town. They, in fact, between 1150 and 1160 extended their domination over the northern side of Gargano, so they built the first tower as a sign of possession of the territory; followed the construction of the castle and the wall system to protect the village . After the Swabians, Carpino was ruled for over a century and a half by the Della Marra, and then the Di Sangro of Torremaggiore possessed it for about a decade; in the seventeenth century the lords of Carpino were the de Vargas, and the last feudal lords of the town were the Brancaccio. Today Carpino is a small town with an economic life based on cultural tourism and agriculture; in particular, here one of the most renowned olive oil in the area was produced.
The primitive nucleus of Casale Monferrato probably developed near the Po River, around the castle of the Paleologi, then to the Basilica of Saint Evasio. Casale Monferrato was the capital city for two hundred years of the Marquisate of Monferrato, a small but fierce State that retained its independence for 800 years and it ceased to exist only in 1708, when it was subjected to the domain of Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy (1666-1732). In this very long time, the Marquisate was first ruled by the Aleramici, then by Paleologi and, finally, by Gonzaga.
The origins of Casale, as we explain below, most likely coincide with the Roman city of Vardacate, as demonstrated various archaeological finds in the area. It was also of the Longobards domain, and in 882, Charles the Fat (839-888) gave the city the Bishopric of Vercelli. The city rebelled in 1196 and became a free municipality; in 1215 it was razed to the ground by allied armies of Vercelli, Alessandria and Tommaso of Savoy (1178-1233).
Apart from the name ("Cassibile") there does not actually exist historically established relations between the old farm-house and the current "Cassibile", the origins of which date back to the mid-nineteenth century. Among other things, especially in the past, it was thought even to identify the site of the ancient farm-house of Cassibile with the city of Avola. According to A. Messina, we do not know with certainty even if the document of Pope Urban II actually was related to this castle: "[...] It is unclear whether it relates to the Bishop's document of 1104, which lists the assets of the Diocese of Syracuse ' aliud casale , quod est juxta via quae tendit Cassibulum'. In the last two centuries of the Middle Ages the place-name ‘Cassibile’ indicates only an uninhabited feud and it is mentioned such as a 'castle' [...]"( See A. Messina, “Sicilia rupestre”: 26).
“Castellammare del Golfo” is the modern name denoting the ancient “Emporium Segestanorum”; (Emporium of Segesta); it is located east of Eryx and north of Segesta. The form used by Greek authors is "Emporion", that is a “town of maritime ??trade” (See G.B. Pellegrini, “Toponomastica italiana …”, Hoepli, 1990, p. 82). The "emporium" of Castellammare in Sicily was thus one of the clearest monuments of the opulence and extensive commerce of Segesta [About Segesta, See the article in this Website]. Several ancient authors wrote on this trading port of the Elymi ; for example, it was mentioned by Strabo (64 BC-19 AD), Ptolemy (100-175 AD), and Diodorus (90-27 BC).
History
As regards specifically the area surrounding Castelsardo, we can say that the city's history since the Neolithic is emerging, with the archaic Pal-“sardi”. The most important archaeological evidences of this phase in Castelsardo are the so called "Domus de Janas", literally "houses of the fairies", funerary buildings excavated in the rock. As we said, what characterizes the landscape around Castelsardo are the famous “Nuraghi”, present in large numbers, and considered fortifications and control points of the territory, organized with around the circular huts with hearth in the Center.
In the Middle Ages "Castroreale" was one of many "anonymous" hamlets of the plain of Milazzo. In a document dating back to 1263, under King Manfred (1232-1266), son of Frederick II of Swabia (1194-1250), its ancient name, "Criccine" appears next to the names of other hamlets in a donation to the Monastery of “Santa Maria di ‘Monialium’” of Messina: “[...] Item terrae qu[a]e sunt in Tenimento Nasari et tertia pars nemoris et casalis 'Criccine' [...]" ("Then the lands that are within the territory of Nasari and third parts of the wood and hamlet of 'Criccine' ").
History
The Hill on which is located the ancient centre of Castrovillari was certainly inhabited in prehistoric times. In Roman times a "castrum" was built at the peak of the hill, of which remain some finds of a hollow space beneath the loggias of the “Santa Maria del Castello” shrine. The town was strengthened with walls, which, over the centuries, consented to the town a reliable defence against the Saracens and Normans, who latter conquered it only after a long siege.
Cefalà Diana is a "small" town of Sicily, but it presents many difficulties of interpretation that only in recent years have found a satisfying solution . Even Cefalà Diana, like other towns of Sicily, has modern origins, dating back to the late seventeenth century, in concomitance with the "Ius or licentia populandi”, the privilege that allowed local landowners the opportunity to establish new villages and first to cultivate land deserted and unproductive.
However, even if Cefalà Diana is of recent origin, in the feud "Cefalà" there was a village, the name of which was also "Cefalà" (discussed below), of very ancient origins. We have the first mention of a locality named “Cefalà” in a medieval document dating from 1093 of Count Roger (1031-1101), in which was mentioned a deed of gift to the church of Mazara : "[...]Tendit hec (“haec”) parochia ad divisionem Jatine et 'Chephale' videlicet usque ad grandem cristam et a crista tenditur usque ad Saganam et a Sagana usque ad Carines et a Carinis usque ad districtum arenosum ubi est divisio Panorni et Carini [...]"; or, "This parish goes to the territory of Jatin and 'Cefalà', that is up to the big rock ridge, and from the ridge goes toward Sagana and from Sagana to Carini and from Carini to the district where there are the areas of Palermo and Carini [ See “Archivio di Stato di Palermo (ASP SMS F2 B1631) in G. Nania, “Toponomastica e topografia storica delle valli del Belice e dello Jato”, Palermo, Barbaro, 1995: 72 Note 2].
In 1059 Robert Guiscard (1015-1085), after the oath of allegiance to Pope Nicholas II (died in 1061), became Duke of Apulia and Calabria; the conquest of Sicily was carried by his brother, Roger I (1031-1101) and completed by Roger II (1095-1154) in 1130. It was a memorable event not only politically but also culturally.
The Norman forms in architecture were introduced, accompanied by Byzantine and Arab cultural references; this is the evidence of the Normans’ cultural syncretism , and their sensitivity to diverse art forms, as is shown by the figure of King Roger II, open to the protection of artists and intellectuals of the most varied origins; suffice it to say that Al Idrisi (1099-1165), the official historian at the court of Roger II, was of Arab origin.
Recents archaeological digs demonstrate the origins of Cesena to before Roman times. Its ancient name is probably derived from the Latin word Caesenia, indicating a 'wood cut' (from caedo-caedere - to cut). According to scholars’ studies it is here that we can locate the old Selva Lithuania, where the Boii Gauls in 216 BC reported a resounding victory against the Romans, led by Lucius Postumius (consul 234 B.C.).
Cesena became a Roman colony around the 3rd or 4th century BC, and was ruled by a Roman praetor. Later it was subject to Odoacer (435-493 AD) and for this it had to endure for a siege by Theodoric (454-526), who obtained the domain in 493 AD.
About the etymology of Chiavari, there have been various proposals in the past, so that, effectively, we have not some orientation for any time. In the '80s came, however, an important study, which even today enjoys a large consideration, of the scholar T. Franceschi, who established “ […] a parallelism between ‘Klava’ and ‘grava’ (a probably Celtic or Mediterranean term, which seems to mean ‘pebbles producted and conveyed from the water,’ ‘gravel’, ‘pebbly of the stream’) […].” (See T. Franceschi, “Sull’ etimologia di Chiavari e dintorni, in “Atti del convegno di studi internazionali per l'VIII centenario dell'urbanizzazione di Chiavari” ["About the etymology of Chiavari and its surroundings, in “Proceedings of International Studies for the eighth centenary of urbanization of Chiavari”, Genoa, 1980, pp. 122-127”].
Already known in Roman times, the little town of Chiavenna had a remarkable importance in the early Middle Ages; after the thousand it became an independent municipalitu, although it was later submitted to the Bishopric of Como, passing then, in 1335, to the Visconti and Sforza.
Finally, it was under the Grisons until 1797. The present old town dates back to the sixteenth century, since the medieval town was destroyed by fire in 1486, and new city walls were built by Ludovico il Moro (1452-1508).
The name Chioggia derives from the Latin words 'Fossa Clodia', where 'Fossa' means a 'channel', and Clodia refers to the mythical Clodius, who, according to legend, arrived in Italy with the Trojan hero Aeneas and founded a city in the place where Chioggia now stands - Clodia (the city of Clodius).
The two islands that make up Chioggia were a safe refuge for the Veneto population when subject to barbarian invasions in the 5th century.
Chioggia the city has it's roots in the eleventh and twelfth centuries AD, by which time it had already assumed the role of port city, developed around the salt trade salt, fishing and other economic activities related to its the sea. Already by this time some important buildings were constructed in Chioggia, including religious and civil Palaces, such as the 'Palazzo Pubblico' (dating from the second half of the thirteenth century).
The ancient city of Chiusi was formerly one of the twelve cities of Etruria and the site of the most powerful Etruscan tribes, governed by Porsenna in the 6th century BC - Porsenna was an Etruscan king who greatly increased the power of the city, as recorded by the Roman historian Livy (59 BC-17 AD).The tradition tells that the tomb of the famous King was formed by a series of underground tunnels connected to form a kind of labyrinth. Becasue of this story, taken from the "Naturalis Historia" by Pliny the Elder (23-79), the tunnels dug under the historic core of Chiusi are known as the 'Labyrinth of Porsenna' - although in reality it is only a drainage system that carries rainwater into different tanks.
Cingoli is a small and pleasant town in the Marches, but over the centuries, it has given notice to scholars of exceptional problems about both its antiquities and etymology. With regard to antiquity, the problem arose from a dubious interpretation of certain assertions in Caesar's (100-44 BC) "Bellum Civile" (I, 15), who wrote: "[...] Auximo Caesar omnem progressus agrum Picenum percurrit. Cunctae earum regionum praefecturae libentissimis animis recipiunt exercitumque eum eius omnibus rebus iuvant. Etiam ‘Cingulo’, quod oppidum Labienus constituerat suaque pecunia exaedificaverat, eum legati veniunt quaeque imperaverit se cupidissime facturos pollicentur [...]"; i.e.: "Starting from Osimo, Caesar walked the whole territory of Piceno; all Prefectures of the Region received him with a great enthusiasm and they helped in every way his army. From ‘Cingoli’ too, a fortified town which was established by Labienus (100 ca.-45 BC), who had finished the building of it at his own expense, came some ambassadors, who promised they would do everything that He (Caesar) had commanded; he then asked soldiers, and they sent them. "
We have some reliable information about Cinisi from Arab times and then from the mid-fourteenth century, but the studies conducted on the territory have allowed scholars to identify an area of ancient settlement, which also had a great military and economic importance in Roman times. The Roman period has given scholars much food for thought.
We have some documents about Citta Della Pieve from the twelfth century when, in a papal Bull of 1181, Pope Lucius III (1100 ca.-1185) granted to Guglielmo, Bishop of Lucca, some privileges. Lucius III, therefore, appointed: "[...] Castrum et curtem Sancti Gervasii cum omnibus quae eam pertinent [...]" ["the fortress and the Court of ‘San Gervasio’, with all its appurtenances"] (See “Memorie e Documenti per Servire all'Istoria di Lucca” [" The Memories and Documents to Serve to the History of Lucca"], Vol. IV, Part II, Lucca, 1836, p. 195).
The etymology is typically medieval, and it refers to the concept of a "castrum" ("Fortress"), around which there was a village with his "parish" (Latin "Plebs"), a name under which, in the Middle Ages, precisely the country churches were indicated. The old medieval name of "Città della Pieve" was then "Castrum Plebis" ("Fortress of the Parish Church"); then, when the surrounding village was enlarged to become a "city" (Urbs), there was a change of name, and it, from "Castrum plebis", changed into "Urbs Plebis", translated as “Città della Pieve” [“City of the Parish Church”]. It should be noted that the ancient name of “Castrum Plebis” remained a long time, and that the modern name was assigned to city at the behest of Pope Clement VIII (1535-1605) in the seventeenth century.
We know that the ancient "castrum" was a fortified outpost controlled until the seventh century by the Lombards. The "castrum" was then strengthened in 1326, with the building of "Fortress" by the Perusians, who after the death of Emperor Frederick II (1194-1250), forced it their rule until 1529, when Pope Clement VII (1478-1534) de Medici incorporating the town under the power of the Church State. The main buildings of Old Town were built between the thirteenth and sixteenth century, using the brick as a building material, of which “Città della Pieve” was, since the Middle Ages, a major production center. The trades of the city were helped by several routes that connected the important "Via Francigena" (so called because it connected Italy with France), located to the west; so the merchants of the city had access to that roads of international trade that crossed the whole of Tuscany to reach the Po River Valley.
“Città della Pieve” was located on another important route, the "Way of ‘Alpe di Serra’". The road, recently discovered, was built by the Lombards as a link between the "Via Emilia" and "Via Francigena. The "Via Emilia" reached “Alpe di Serra” in Tuscan-Apennine, to the height of “ ‘Mandrioli’ Pass”; then it went down to Arezzo in the Arno Valley. From here, along the eastern part of the "Val di Chiana," headed for “Castiglion Fiorentino”, Cortona, Castiglione del Lago, Castel della Pieve, Orvieto and Montefiascone, where it joins the “Via Francigena”. These major road junctions thus promote trade in handicrafts of “Città della Pieve”, the economy of which still is hinged about working with clay, using the ancient craft techniques, and offering terracotta artefacts of considerable value. The city's economy also is boosted by tourism, thanks to the important artistic heritage, which is expressed mainly in the figure of Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci, called the “Perugino” (1450-1523), who was born here.
The activities of Julius Caesar (100-44 BC) as proconsul in Transpadane was very intense, and we know that Cividale, the ancient “Forum Iulii”, was founded by the great Roman leader, along with other cities, as Concordia, for example, in the same area of Friuli. About “Forum Iulii”, in ancient times, we do not have many evidences. Pliny the Elder [23-79 AD] (“Naturalis Historia”, III, 23, 130-131) was very dismissive about the “ X Regio Augustea”, and spoke quickly of “Forum Iulii” and its surroundings, saying that they were places “Quos scrupolosius dicere non attineat” (“about which wasn't the case to say scrupulously”). Even Ptolemy (100-175 AD), the great geographer of the ancient world, was quick to mention Cividale, simply quoting a Roman colony that he called, in Greek, "Foros Isulios”. For more detailed information on "Forum Iulii", which was situated at the point where today there is Cividale, on the right bank of the river Natisone, one must wait for the Lombard period.
The clay of the area around Civita Castellana, and the art of pottery made the economic fortune of the city, from the earliest times (X century BC). Indeed, the archaeological excavations of the necropolis unearthed many materials, documenting a strong presence of art pottery such as vases called pottery clay "mixture", the finest geometric vessels and proto-Corinthian and Attic vases; in fact, in pre-Roman times, “Civita Castellana” was the capital of the “Falisci”, skilled craftsmen, who were specialized in art pottery. The first traces of this civilization come from excavations of the ancient “Falerii Veteres”, which had trade relations with the entire Mediterranean basin.
The ancient name of “Civitavecchia” was “Centumcellae”, the foundation of which, as a port with many warehouses, dating back to 107 AD. behest of Trajan (53-117 AD). Devastated by the Saracens in 828, the city was abandoned by the inhabitants, who fled into nearby woods, founding the city of "Leopolis", but in 889 they returned, changing its name to “Civitas Vetula” [“the Old Town”]. It became part of the Church State in 1431, when it assumed the role of the Rome port and the Papal fleet basis. Go back to that time, the fortifications of the port and arsenal.
Colle di Val d'Elsa is a very old city, probably dating from the Early Middle Ages, although the town was also known with different names from the current one - namely Piticciano and Piticciano Castle.
The early history and origins of the town are slightly unclear but the research tells a fascinating story.
We do not know precisely when the old village around the castle was born, but certainly around the year 1000, because in a document dating from 1007, the noble Wuilla Aldobrandeschi received certain lands from the Bishop of Volterra, among which Piticciano was mentioned.Other documents mentioning 'Piticcianum' date back to the 12th century. We know from these that Colle di val d'Elsa was rightly called Piticciano, and that from 1183 we know that the city was also called Colle, because, in a Bull of Pope Lucius III (1110-1185), who gave the abbot of “Santa Maria di Spugna” many goods and lands, it was said that some of these assets were close to the 'Castellum Piticcianum quod Colle vocatur'. ie Lucius III wrote that the possessions were close to the “Piticciano Castle, which is called Colle."
Where was the ancient Comiso? In its successful penetration in Sicily, Syracuse founded a few years later some of its colonies, including Acre (Greek "Akrai") and Casmene [the Greek "Kasméne" or "Kasmenai" (644-43 BC) [Herodotus (484-425 BC) 7.155.2, and Thucydides (460-395 BC), 6.5. 2], a military colony founded for the control of the Siciles, who lived between the rivers Anapo and Tellaro. "[...] 70 years after the founding of their city, the Syracusans founded Acre, in a position that allowed them to subdue Pantalica and to control the whole valley of the river Anapo. Twenty years later, Syracuse founded its second colonial base, or Casmene (perhaps the present (Comiso), and in 599 or 598 near the south coast (...) a third base, Camarina [...]" (See M.A. Levi, "L’Italia nell’evo antico", Piccin, 1998: 112).
The town of Conegliano was born around the 12th century, when a group of noble families established a settlement on a hill around to a pre-existing fortress. The castle became the centre of the local political, military and religious power, with the Palace of the Podestà and the Church of St. Leonardo.
In the Middle Ages Conegliano became a very important place politically, based on local agriculture that was run by monks who lived in many monasteries near the town and brought food and hand-made quality products to Conegliano. The 13th century Monastery of Santa Maria Mater Domini (1231) was very powerful economically, as were the Monastery of St. Francis (1231) and the School of Santa Maria of the Battuti (c.1272).
Many assumptions were proposed about the origins of Corleone, especially in earlier centuries. One of the most seductive was that why Corleone was the direct descendant of the ancient city of “Schera”, mentioned even by Homer (IX century BC): “So god-like Nausithous | had taken them away and led them off to settle | in 'Scheria', far from any men who have to work | to earn their daily bread. He'd had them build a wall | around the city, put up homes, raise temples | to the gods, and portion out the land for farming” ( See “The Odyssey”, Book six, 7-12). In the nineteenth century, one of the strong supporters of the identification of Corleone with Schera, besides Cluverio (1580-1622), was Niccolò Maggiore, who wrote: "[...] We know from Thucydides that on the western side of Sicily, (...) the Greeks established only Imera. The others were founded by the Phoenicians or by the Siculians.
Although doubted for many centuries, archaeological excavations (and linguistic experts) have now shown definitively that Cortona is of Etruscan origin.
Cortona is believed to have been a rich and powerful Etruscan town, as demonstrated by the cyclopean walls surrounding the city, still visible in some parts today, The walls are made by huge slabs of superimposed stone. Beside them are the tombs, a magnificent example of which is the so-called 'Cave of Pythagoras' (570 ca.-495 BC) - some of the finds from this cave are now housed in the renovated Etruscan Museum of Cortona.
Founded in the Island of “Fulcheria”, emerged from the marshes of the ancient Lake “Gerundo”, Crema became an important city and a free municipality only in the eleventh century, when Matilda of Canossa ceded it to the Bishop of Cremona. The population of the area can be traced back to the fourth millennium BC, as evidenced by the discovery of artefacts in the Civic Museum of Crema, as fragments of stone, arrowheads and stone axes. The city's origins seem linked, however, the Longobard invasion of the sixth century AD, and in fact there is a legend connected with the advent of the Longobards, which narrates that the foundation of the city dates back to 570 when, with the arrival of the Longobards, the inhabitants of the area took refuge in the highest part of the Island of the “Mosa”, under the command of Cremete and then Fulcherio. From these two founders would result so the place names, "Crema" and "Insula Fulcheria”.
Cremona was born as a simple village inhabited by the Gauls, who worked as ferrymen on the Po River.
Because of its geographical position as a major transit point Cremona drew the attention of the Romans, who turned the small village into an important regional centre. It was founded around 219 B.C., and was inhabited by nearly 6000 Romans who took advantage of the fertility of the soil and at the same time used the location to control the Celtic populations (the Boi and Cenomani Gauls) that were penetrating inside the Empire.
The city always enjoyed the confidence of Rome and it also had a legislative autonomy with its own Senate. Around 190 B.C. thousands more Roman farmers settled in the city and relations with Rome became even more friendly, because Cremona had aided the Romans against the Gauls and also against Hannibal. Around 89 B.C. Cremona became "Municipium" and its inhabitants obtained Roman citizenship.
History
The name Erice appears for the first time in 510 BC, mentioned by Herodotus (284-425 BC), who talks about it in broad terms, saying it not as a "polis" (town), but simply as a "Chora" or "Ghe" (Earth). On the contrary, Erice is cited as a "polis" by Thucydides (460-395 BC); at the time of the Greek historian, the "polis" of Erice seems already a city of great importance, not only as a sacred Centre, but because it was surrounded by powerful walls, minted its coins and was faithful ally of Segesta (of which Erice kept the "treasure" in the Temple).
For the 6th century BC, there was a dual Greek and Carthaginian influence on the town; with regard to Greek influence, the monuments seem to refer to the style of Selinunte, especially for the imitation of the so-called " Selinon leaf" ("flower in bud"), while the Carthaginian influence felt in the walls, that "[…] is partly marked by the Punic letters for assembling blocks, evidencing Carthaginian contribution to reorganization of the walls of centre […]" (See: 288).
The ancient name of Fabriano was “Faberius”. We note that the origins date back to the twelfth century AD, and thus to the Middle Ages; however, some scholars have noted that "Faberius" was a noble name, and, according to the documents, it referred to a "Gens Faberia”, who had his landholdings in the area of Fabriano. "[...] It was also a “Gens Romana que [sic] nomen suum fortasse a Faber [...]"; or, it “was a Roman family that probably derives her name from 'smiths'”, i.e. the trade of blacksmith. Thus, the etymology of "Faberius-Fabriano" mean simply "smith". For more, it "is probably the same 'Faberius' possessed a considerable area of the “Giano” River Valley [where is located Fabriano], where similar or identical names are repeated" (See “Atti del XXI Convegno di Studi Storici Maceratesi: Macerata, 15-16 novembre 1986, Centro di Studi Storici Maceratesi, 1989, p. 8). ["Proceedings of the XXI Congress of Historical Studies of Macerata: Macerata 15-16 November 1986, Centre for Historical Studies of Macerata, 1989, p. 8)].
Faventia (now Faenza) first arises in Roman times, when it was built on the Via Aemilia (187 BC), although archaeological excavations have shown that the site was inhabited in prehistoric times.
Faenza was built by the Romans according to the classic 'centuriation', i.e. by dividing the countryside into square blocks about 700 metres along each side. The seat of civilian life in the city (the Town Hall, Market and craft shops) is at the centre of the centuriation. During the Roman Empire, some significant measures for agriculturetook place in Faenza; and until the Second Century AD, the city enjoyed a prosperous life, made up of activities related to agriculture and industrial ceramics.
The ancient "Fanum" is located at the mouth of Metauro River Valley.
The literary and epigraphic Roman sources about Fano are numerous today, but the first in an absolute sense to talk of the town was Julius Caesar [100-44 BC] (“Bellum Civile”, 1, 12, 4), during the passage of the Rubicon River and his military operations in Central Italy: "[...] Itaque ab Arimino M. Antonium cum cohortibus V at Arretium mittit; Arimino ipse cum duabus [legionibus] subsistit; … Pisanum, Fanum, Anconam singulis cohortibus occupat [...]" - "So he sent Marco Antonio from Rimini to Arezzo with five cohorts. Instead, he stopped at Rimini with two legions, … occupying Pesaro, Fano and Ancona with a single cohort by city ". Caesar, as we see, quoting the city name, calls it "Fanum", but its full name was "Fanum Fortunae," or the "Temple of Fortune."
It is a consolidated commonplace believe that Sicily had been "exclusively Greek." In fact, Sicily, "before" the Greeks were conquered by the Phoenicians. About this historical reality spoke us Thucydides (460-397 BC), who observed (VI, 2) that "[...] then the Phoenicians also inhabited the coasts of Sicily, having occupied the headlands and the nearby islets, because of trade with the Sicules. However, when the Greeks arrived there in large numbers by sea, leaving Sicily they lived in Motya, Soloenta and Panormos [...]". One of these "islets" inhabited by the Phoenicians was Favignana.
The settlement of Feltre arose to the west of the Piave River in the Belluna Valley. It has been inhabited since ancient times and possibly has Etruscan origins; but according to the the Roman Pliny the Elder (23 - 79 AD), it was always a fortified city - an Oppidum founded by the Rhetic people that subsequently became a Roman Municipium, of great importance for communications, because it was in contact, through the Via Claudia Augusta with the Brenner region. There are few routes that cross the mountains here and those that do often gained strategic importance.
In the medieval period Feltre suffered invasions from various defeats, including the Goths and the Longobards) then later, between the 13th and 14th centuries, it was occupied by various and powerful Italian seignoiries (ruling families) such as the Da Camino, Da Romano, Carraresi, and Visconti.
Ferentino is located north of the province of “Frosinone”, about 400 meters above sea level. Since ancient times it has maintained its name, “Ferentinum”, which, according to some scholars, derives its etymology from the Latin verb "fero-ferre", which means " to produce", reflecting the fertility of its soil. Indeed, taking into account its geographical position, the etymology would seem to have good fundamentals. G. Semerano does arise, however, the name from "Lucus Ferentinae", i.e. a wood ("Lucus") surrounding the sacred spring of water called “Ferentina”. The Sacred Wood was the venue for confederated peoples of Latium (See G. Semerano, “The Origins of European Culture”, Olschki, 1984, Vol. II, p. 850).
Fermo, harmoniously arranged on the sides of “Sabùlo” Hill, Marche, was a place of settlement dating back to the Iron Age. According to G. Buti and G. Devoto, the transition of Picenum to Iron Age is marked by new funeral rites of cremation, of proto-Villanovan type, characterized by the presence of “[…] urns shaped like a cylinder… We find a continuation of this type, very clearly proto-Villanovan, in the cremation tombs of Fermo, which now is ascribed to the eighth century BC […]” (See G. Buti-G. Devoto, “Preistoria e Storia delle Regioni d’Italia” [“Prehistory and history of the Italy regions”], Florence, Sansoni, 1974, pp. 85-86 ).
With regard to the history of the island, and despite the fact that Edrisi had observed that Filicudi in his time was uninhabited (eleventh century AD), contemporary studies have shown that in Filicude there were traces of life from the Neolithic, in fact, by Bernabò Brea were found "A few fragments of Neolithic pottery of ‘Diana style’ (3000 BC), especially in the village of ‘Capo Graziano’ and in connection with a village of the Bronze Age that existed on the hill above.
One Corinthian amphora of the fifth century BC and some other fragments were found near ‘Campo Graziano’, which could be the evidence of a relic of this age "(See Luigi Bernabò Brea-M. Cavalier," The Aeolian Archaeological Museum " , Flaccovio, 1977: 163).
Foligno, the old "Fulginium", is situated in a fertile valley at the foot of Apennines, near the confluence of Topino and Menotre ( a tributary of Topino River). The city, remembered by many Roman writers (Cato [234-149 BC], Cicero [106-43 BC], Caesar [100-44 BC] and Pliny the Elder [23-79 AD]), developed significantly only after the Roman conquest. The territory of "Fulginates" (Pliny the Elder) was Romanized from the beginning of the third century BC (295), and, on this subject, a question arose in the past about the site of ancient city, as it was thought that it was just moved farther north, but, apparently, and as indeed some historians have asserted in the eighteenth century, the site seems to be the same. During Roman age Foligno was a Confederate city, before "Municipium" and then "Prefecture", and it had some commercial importance, because it crossed by a branch of the “Via Flaminia”.
The first settlements in the territory of Gaeta date back to eighth century BC. About the etymology there have been several hypotheses; the older derives its name from "Caieta", mentioned by Virgil [70-19 BC] (' Aeneid ', 7, 1), and the nurse of Aeneas, from the Greek "Kaien" ("burn"), because the Trojans set fire to the ships of Aeneas. [See V. Teti, “Storia dell'acqua: mondi materiali e universi simbolici” [“History of water: physical worlds and symbolic universes”], Donzelli, 2003: 75, footnote 20]. Of course, contemporary proposals indicate the origin of the Latin name "Caieta" from a typical feature of the site where is located the city.
History
Established then that "Anxa" and "Callipolis" were the same city, historically, we can say that Gallipoli was conquered by the Romans in 265 BC, and that linked it to the "Via Traiana", to facilitate the transition towards the Balkans and they developed so in it, port activities, before transforming it into a military centre, and subsequently in a “Municipium”.
It was sacked by the Vandals and by Totila (died in 552 AD) in 450. The period of the barbaric invasions was one of the hardest for Gallipoli. Soon after, the city was conquered by the Byzantines, who, in the 500 AD, ruled wholly the South Italy.
History of Gela
The area of Gela coincided with some much more ancient settlements dating back to prehistoric times and more specifically to the Copper Age (between III and II millennium BC). In the classical times, and after a few years after its foundation, the city gained control of much of west-central Sicily and founded many colonies, including Agrigento. The period of the tyrants of Gela, from Cleandro (died in 498 BC) had a great personality as Hippocrates (460-370 BC). The apogee of the Greek city, however, dates back to the period between the sixth and fifth centuries BC, when it had over 100,000 inhabitants, and commercial relations with all major Mediterranean stores, attracting writers and philosophers in a city of great prestige, as Aeschylus .
Built on a sandstone, Gerace was an area of ancient people, as evidenced by the discovery of several prehistoric burial sites, from Neolithic times. The city was founded during the Middle Ages by some refugees who deserted Locri for the raids of the Saracens, between the end of the seventh and the beginning of the eighth centuries AD, choosing the site for its natural characteristics related to good defence capabilities.
Gerace was a very important administrative and religious center of the Byzantine Empire, repeatedly attacked and plundered by the Arabs, who conquered the city in the late tenth century; it was also one of the most important and oldest diocese of Calabria. The Byzantine, fearing attacks by the Saracens, garrisoned their places with well-armed fortresses. At that time, presumably dates back the establishment of the Gerace Castle , then restored, according to the chronicler Geofrroi Malaterra (11th century), by Count Ruggero (1031-1101). At the same time the Byzantines created a Magistrature with full powers, or the “Catapan”, who settled in Bari.
Beyond the name, poetic and of rustic flavour, Glorenza is a real City-Fortress, with a rectangular plan, surrounded by walls of great magnificence, which reaches about seven feet tall and nearly two thick. The area was fiercely fought over in the Middle Ages between the powerful family of the Matsch and the Bishopric of Coira; moreover, the Bishop of Coira, in the thirteenth century, built two castles, the "Fürstemburg" and "Castel Coira" near Glurns.
The history of Glurns is probably of pre-Roman origins and it was originally inhabited by Illyrian people; then Drusus (38-9 BC) conquered the territory in 15 BC. For nearly three centuries, from the beginning of the thirteenth century to the late fifteenth century, the history of Glurns was that of disputes between the Counts of Tyrol and the Bishops of Coira.
The emergence of Grado was told us by Paul the Deacon (720-799 AD), who, after saying that “non longe ab Aquileia Gradus Insula est” (“The island of Grado is located not far from Aquileia”), continues: “[.. .] Paulus (Episcopus) Langobardorum barbariem metuens ex Aquileia ad Gradum Insulam confugit secumque omnem suæ Thesaurum ecclesiae deportavit [...]” (or, “Bishop Paul, fearing the wrath of Longobards, escaped from Aquileia to the island of Grado, carrying the treasure of his church”) [See, G. Bovini, “Grado Paleocristiana” [“Early Christian Grado”], Patron, 1973: 2, 8]. Grado, therefore, came from a “rib” of Aquileia, the inhabitants of which, terrified by the invasions of barbarians, sought refuge in the Venetian lagoons; after all, the birth of Grado is absolutely similar to that of Venice.
The discovery, in 1444, of the so-called "Tabulae Iguvinae" ["bronze plates"], which were expertly illustrated by Giacomo Devoto, was essential for the interpretation of ancient Gubbio, which the Romans called "Iguvium". The "Tabulae" offered some important data from a historical, religious and linguistic point of view. Meanwhile, one of the problems that arose was whether, with regard to the ancient Gubbio, it is permissible to speak of a "city", or simply of a "fortress". Supporters of Gubbio as "city" base their claims by referring to the "gates" of ancient urban structure. Scholars unfavourable rightly have pointed out that the reference to "gates" is not sufficient to identify Gubbio as a city, because the old "Arx" ("Fortress"), of course, had its gates, which, indeed, are constitutive of a castle.
History
The area around Ischitella was inhabited from the Prehistoric times (Neolithic), as shown by the excavations that have unearthed many relics, such as ceramics and other stone implements of daily use. On Mount Civita, near Ischitella, "came to light two Roman necropolis" (See G. Alvisi, "The Roman roads in Daunia", Tipografia del Sud, 1970: 79). Despite the antiquity of the site where the town is situated in Puglia, its origins are really rather recent, as the document stating the city dates back to 1058, when Pope Stephen IX confirmed to the Monastery of Calena "direction of 14 colonies, the so-called 'cellae' [a sort of place or room for food supplies], listed individually with the property annexed.”
Among these there is also the 'cellam Sancti Petri de Ischitella, Vineis et cum terris suis, quae fuit Johannis Presbiteri (...)" [“The 'cella' of St. Peter of Ischitella, with its vineyards and farmlands that once belonged to the Priest Giovanni”] (See S. Fulloni, "The Lost Abbey”, Liguori, 2006: 47 and the study published by the "Centro Storico Benedettino Italiano", "Monasticon italiae", Badia di Santa Maria del Monte, 1981: 62).
The history of Ispica (and its name) is a pretty fascinating and intricate side of the Sicilian town, situated on a hill south-east of the island, about 200 meters above sea level, from which it is about six kilometers. Much of the information that the tradition was handed down to us in recent years was subject of a important revisal, which has re-designed the face of the ancient “Ispica”, giving it a look quite different than traditional data.
What did say scholars from the seventeenth and the contemporary period about Ispica? We can start by the name of the city, because from it then derive the most important historical facts of Ispica. About it Huberto Goltzio wrote: “[...] “Yspia vel Ypsa in Pachyno urbs erat, unde Ispicae fundus, qui nunc corrupte “Spaccafurnus” vocatur [...]” ( See Huberto Goltzio, “Sicilia et Magna Graecia”, 1618, I, p. 12); or, “formerly 'Yspia' or 'Ypsa' was located on the Pachino promontory, whose name is derived from ‘Ispicae Fundus’ ('Ispica Farm’), that then in vulgar tongue was corrupt in ‘Spaccaforno’.” Thus, according to Goltzio, would have been an ancient town, known as "Yspia," which later would be called "Ispicae Fundus", a name which, in medieval times, would become “Spaccafurnus.”
The place of Ivrea was formerly colonized by the “Salassi”, a people who lived the present “Canavese” and “Valle d'Aosta”, whose main activities were the mining of iron, copper, gold and silver. Since they occupied a strategic step on the way towards Gaul, the Romans moved a victorious war against the “Salassi” and, in 100 BC, they founded “Eporedia”, which then became “municipium”. As regards the etymology, the question is undoubtedly complex, but the best hypothesis is that proposed by G.B. Pellegrini, who writes: "[...] ‘Eporedia-Ivrea’ is attested by classical authors and inscriptions (PID 311 Tab. Med. 64), for example by Tacitus [56-117 AD] (Hist. 1, 70), Cicero [196-43 BC] , "Ad Familiares”, XI, 20, Pliny the Elder [23-79 AD] , III, 123, Strabo [58-25 BC approx.], IV, 6, 7, CIL V 6777) . The city is certainly a Celtic settlement (...) A first response is the Gaulish personal name "Epo-redo-rix" (...) and the Latin term "redarius' (" Driver of a 'reda'), and the 'reda' was a popular Gallic vehicle. And, we must note that 'eporediae' were the 'boni equorum domitores' ("the capable horse trainers"); the term derives, thus, from the word therefore 'epo' (i.e. 'horse'), cf. the Latin word "equus".
The western Lake Garda has been inhabited since prehistoric times, a fact proven by a bilingual inscription found near Tremosine that testifies that both the Ligurians and then the Etruscans lived here
Next the Lake was conquered by the Cenomani Gauls, and later again by the Romans.
The first Latin group of which we know something is the so-called "Benacenses", that probably took the name from the Garda Lake, at that time known as Benacus.
The ancient authors tell us that Lampedusa was inhabited by Greek, Roman, Phoenician and Arab colonies. The presence of amphorae, oil lamps, burial crypts, caves, small dwellings, cisterns, wells, remains of buildings with mosaics and coins of various origins show the antiquity of the site.
We have found traces of a Neolithic settlement with embossed ceramic similar to the “Stentinello style” [from the name of a village near Siracusa].” (See G. Radi, “Tracce di un insediamento neolitico nell'isola di Lampedusa”, in “Atti della società Toscana di scienze naturali” [“Traces of a Neolithic settlement on the island of Lampedusa”, in "Proceedings of the Tuscan Natural Science Society"], 1972, Vol. 79: 197-205). Near the port were found some Roman catacombs.
The small island called “Lampione”, that T. Fazello mentioned below the “Schola” name and the Sicilian fishermen also called “Scoglio degli scolari” [“Rock of the pupils”] is in fact only a rock, and it is located southwest of Lampedusa.
Last year (November 2010) was published in the "Bonn Zoological Bulletin" (2010, Vol. 57, No. 2, pp. 111-118) a concise and a very up to date description with the latest scientific acquisitions about Lampione: “[...] Lampione (35°33’00”N 12°19’11”E) is a small islet located 17 km off the W coast of Lampedusa (Pelagian Islands)and 110 km off Tunisia, in the Channel of Sicily. The area is 0.021 km2 and the maximum altitude is 36 m a.s.l.
History
The site of Lesina was inhabited from prehistoric times; a major study about this time is to N.L .Savino , who writes that "[...] there are numerous finds of stone tools such as scrapers and blades, which can be categorized as belonging the Early Neolithic (Stone Age Smooth) and prehistoric men exercised here the agriculture, farming, fishing and hunting.
Noteworthy are also the evidences categorized as belonging to the Copper Age, while the Bronze Age in Lesina is represented by numerous vascular findings mainly from the island of San Clemente , located in the Lake. Cusps in bronze (tips of spears or arrows) belonging to the Bronze Age (eleventh century BC)) were found in different areas of the town [...]" (See N.L. Savino, “Lesina, Some Contributions to a Prehistoric Survey”, Tip. Reme-Graf., Foggia, 1991).
The history of Levanzo, also known as "Levanto" and then "Levanzo" in modern times; in the sixteenth century it was called "Levanto" (or “East”) by the Genoese, for remember a small village in the province of Genoa. Apart from the significant and very important examples of Prehistoric times, we do not have about the Aegadian Islans some important sources that speak at length about them.
Specifically, with regard to Levanzo, we have very few traces of Roman times, except for a building to salt the fish, even if today Archaeology (including one the underwater Archaeology) is bringing to light increasingly numerous and important evidences.
Licata, in ancient times called "Phintia", is a small town in Sicily all too overloaded with critical and historical problems, basically relating to antiquity. The first problem concerned the original location of Licata, which some critics, back in the past centuries, would identify with Gela (albeit with a few exceptions, the criticism is directed toward identifying the ancient site of Gela with Terranova).
G.D. Gussone, who in 1828 visited Linosa, handed down us this description of it, with some historical notation: "[...] In 1828 (...) arriving from Sicily to these islands, first I discovered Linosa, whether because it is closer to Sicily, or because of the other two more mountainous, while its perimeter does not exceed the seven Italian miles. It was known by the ancients under the name 'Aethusa' and 'Algusa'. Its origin is volcanic, and as Smith rightly pointed out, the four main craters constitute the bulk of it. We found no memory among the ancients about its eruptions, and there is currently no trace of heat, nor smoke-holes.
About the man's presence in the Aeolian Islands and in Lipari, the historical sources consist of the "Bibliotéké Historiké" (“Historical Library”) of Diodorus Siculus (90-27 BC), who said that the island was settled by early immigrants from Italy, called “Ausoni”, led by King Liparo, to whom later would also joined the people led by the Greek Aeolus, identified with the legendary King of the Winds, that Ulysses, according to the Homeric tradition, encountered during his extensive travels.
In the fifth century AD, Byzantine groups settled in the “Valle d'Itria”. With the domination of the Lombards (VI-VII century AD), the first settlements of farmer reinforced. The vicissitudes of war and destruction of villages along the coast forced the population to move to the “Murgia Plateau”. The new populations revitalized the oldest settlements creating new ones, from which would arise in the following centuries the first hamlets, as Locorotondo, so called for the circular shape of its topographical configuration.
In the fifteenth century it belonged to the Del Balzo-Orsini, and it was then given by the Aragonese to Pirro Loffredo (16th century). At the end of the fifteenth century it passed to the Carafa and the sixteenth century became a fief of Baron Ottavio Loffredo( 17th century). In 1645 the town was purchased by Counts Caracciolo, who kept it until the early nineteenth century.
About Loreto we have a secure document of the twelfth century, but some scholars suggest other sources of the early eleventh century (1018). On top of Mount Prodo, there was a church, dedicated to Saint Mary; in a document of 1193 the church and its assets were donated by Jordan, Bishop of “Umana”, the Monastery of “Fonte Avellana”: "[...] In Nomine Dei Anno eius sunt ab incarnatione Domini Jesu Christi MCLXXXXIII (1193) ... Concedimus in perpetuo in heremo Fontis Avellanae et tibi dopno (i.e.“domino”) Marco venerabile priori ... Ecclesiam Sancte (ae) Marie (ae) que (quae) est sita in fundo Laureti [...]"; ie, "In the name of God, in the year 1193 from the Incarnation of Our God Jesus Christ ... We always concede to the monastery of Fonte Avellana and you, Marco, venerable Prior ... the Church of Saint Mary of Loreto, which is located in the ‘fundus’ of Loreto ... "(This document is contained in G. Cappelletti, “Le Chiese d'Italia dalla loro origine fino ai giorni nostri” [“The Churches of Italy from their origin to the present day”], 1848, p. 90). Loreto was therefore indicated in the documents as "fundus ("farm") Laureti" and, as explains G. Cappelletti, "that church ... and the parish were called 'Sancta Maria de Laureto' or 'in Laureto'. "
The foundation of Siponto (now Manfredonia) was attributed by Strabo to Diomedes, the hero of the Trojan war. Here, besides, there are some evidences of dwellings from the Neolithic age. It was then an important centre of the “Dáunia” (by the people of the “Dauni”, of Illyrian origin). Siponto was conquered by Pyrrhus [319-272 BC] (330 BC), then subjugated by the Romans, that found a colony in 194 BC.
The city was long contended between Byzantines and Lombards, then occupied by the Normans (1039). In the late Middle Age it decayed to the burying of the port and marshes. The first bishop of the city was the local noble San Giustino, ordained by Saint Peter in the year 44. For this reason Siponto was a major Archbishopric of Italy. It was joined from 668 to 1034 to Benevento. Pope Alexander II (1061-1173) divided definitively the two dioceses, appointing the Archbishop Gerardo di Siponto, a German Benedictine monk of the order. Pirates and earthquakes of 1223 and 1255 ruined Siponto; the inhabitants was therefore collected by Manfredi in a new city short distance towards the Northwest. Important traces of the past is the Church of “Santa Maria Maggiore” (consecrated in 1117 by Pope Pasquale II [1099-1118]) which is one of the most important buildings of Romanesque and Apulian style in the early decades of the XI century. Adjacent to the Church, there are the remains of a Pale Christian Church and catacombs.
The origins of Mantua (Mantova) date back to 1000 BC when it was founded by the Etruscans.
It was later occupied by the Gauls and Romans and it is here in Pietole Mantovano that Virgil, one of the greatest Latin poets, was born.
We have little information about the Early Middle Ages: in 603 A.D. Mantua was attacked by Agilulf, and in the 8th century, under the reign of Charles the Great, it became an earldom. One of the most famous and powerful feudal families of Mantua was the Canossa, who ruled from 977 to 1115. The most distinguished representative of the dynasty of the Canossa was Matilda (1046-1115). After the defeat of the Countess Matilda of Canossa at the battle of Rivalta in the 12th century Mantua became a municipality.
Marsala, which the Arabs called "Marsa Allah", that is "the port of Allah", has a very ancient history, which has its roots in the Phoenician-Punic age. It is located on the "Capo Boeo" which also preserves the ancient name of "Capo Lilibeo" between Erice, Segesta and Selinunte. “Ab origine” of Marsala there was Mothya, founded by the Phoenicians, probably towards the beginning of the eighth century BC. It was located in the middle of the lagoon known as the “Stagnone”, in the island now called “S. Pantaleo.”
We know for certain that the town of Massa Marittima stood here by the 10th century, and archaeological excavations have shown that the area surrounding the city is of ancient settlement.
The name, "Massa Marittima", has its roots in the Latin "Mansus," a term that refers to the verb "manere", or " to dress", “to dwell”; the name is similar to many other Italian towns, such as “Massa Carrara” and “Massa Lombarda”. The second term, "Marittima", obviously refers to the classic "Maremma" Tuscany, a green place and formerly covered with water and swamps.
History and Etymology
The excavations at Mattinata have systematically acquired a partial knowledge of the complex, restricted to the areas of production and processing of oil [...] "(See M. Mazzei, A.M. Tunzi Sisto," The Ancient Gargano", Grenzi, 2005: 69, 126). Among some things anyway, we know that the city's origins date back to the fifth-sixth century BC, with the first presence of the population of the "Me-tinates" (Pliny the Elder) or "Ma-tinates", some Dauni’s tribes of the Eurasian civilization, landed from Illyria between the eighth and seventh centuries BC. The "Matinates" settled in the plain of Mattinata and on the rocky spur of Monte Matino (Monte Saraceno, where there is a necropolis).
The city was exposed to the Saracen and Slave invasions until the seventeenth century, and of this difficult period remain the coastal lookout towers. From 1780 they began to build some houses on the hill called Castelluccio. The current centre of the city began to develop towards the sixteenth century and the old town has many traces of the ancient populations, such as some masonry houses of the eighteenth century and several stone houses, called "haystacks" and belonging to earlier periods.
We know from Diodorus (90-21 BC) that the place now known as Mazara del Vallo was an "emporium" near Selinunte. "[…] Diodorus speaks precisely about an ‘emporium’ close to ('parà') the Mazaro River, taken by Hannibal (247-182 BC) in 209 BC in the march from Lilibeo towards Selinunte (...) a harbour area (‘emporion’), which was the nucleus of that would become the town of Mazara (See Stefania De Vido, “Gli Elimi: storie di contatti e di rappresentazioni”, Scuola Normale Superiore, 1997: 259).
Melfi was for many years the capital of the Normans ( 11th century) and in it five ecumenical councils (between 1059 and 1101) was organized, including that in which the First Crusade (1089) was decided. In 1130 the anti-Pope Anacleto ( died in 1138) held in his council in 1167 and it suffered the siege of Frederick Barbarossa (1122-1190). The Normans decided to build a new castle, new walls and the cathedral (11th century).
At the end of the twelfth century came to power the Swabians and in it the “Constitutiones Regni Siciliane”were promulgated in 1231, also known as the "Constitutions of Melfi”, set of laws regulating the reign of Frederick II of Swabia (1194-1250). In 1268 the Angevin dynasty replaced the Swabian and in 1350 the town became a feud of Niccolò Acciaioli (1310-1365), then of the Marzano and finally of Counts Caracciolo. The latter were involved in the famous "conspiracy of the barons" (1485) against King Ferrante of Aragon (1431-1494), who, after having executed, took them the feud. In the clash between France and Spain Melfi was sacked and burned (1528) and later donated by Emperor Charles V (1500-1558) to Andrea Doria (1466-1560).
We observe at first that the small and famous town of Menfi poses particular difficulties about the etymology; in fact, on this intricate problem area there are very few specialized studies and there is almost nothing on a popular level. The "New Town" of Menfi was born with this name until 1638, following a "licentia populandi" granted to Diego Tagliavia. In the Middle Ages the town was born around a castle built by Emperor Frederick II of Swabia (1194-1250), near the hamlet of Arab origin known as "Burgimill", variously named over the centuries as "Burgimill", "Burgimelluso", "Burgibelluso", "Marpimelluso" "Burgio Melluso", "Burgello", "Burgetto" and "Borgetto.” We trace the first mention of the "Burgimill" hamlet in a register of Frederick II, who wanted to build a castle that served as his hunting lodge, an activity to which the emperor was particularly faithful.
Merano is an ancient city of Roman times, known as "Statio Maiensis' (“station”, “borderland Maia”).
Due to its strategic location, the village became an important merchant town, and in the thirteenth century Merano became the capital of County, and the seat of a famous Mint. In the second half of the fourteenth century, the Habsburgs-Tyrol moved the ducal seat to Innsbruck , and this coincided with a period of decline of the city, exacerbated by the floods that affected it several times.
When Chalcidian from the island of Euboea founded a colony at Zancle on the Sicilian coast of today's Messina Strait around 730 BC the area was already inhabited by indigenous peoples, from whom probably comes the name of Zancle, which means sickle, for the shape of the promontory on which their village stood.
In the first half of the fifth century, the city fell into the hands of the tyrant of Reggio, Anassilaos (500 c.-476 B.C.). That led to a number of Dorians settlers from Messenia settling in the city, who came to prevail over Chalcidian - it is 'Messeni', therefore, that we owe the new name of the city, Messana - today Messina.
During the struggles between Greek cities, Messina was subjected to the tyranny of Agathocles (360-289 B.C.), and at his death, to the occupation by the so-called Mamertini who gave the city to the Romans in 264 BC. The Greek city probably stretched between the Zaera and Portalegni rivers, on the slopes of the Gonzaga, Castellaccio and Victory Tower hills, but the ruins are difficult to identify.
We have noted that Milazzo, Province of Messina, excited scholars’ curiosity ever since the eighteenth century.
The history of Milazzo is deeply rooted in the ancient “Mylài”, and excavations have allowed experts to study the ancient settlement. The history of archeology in Milazzo begins with the discovery of some large necropolis: one dating back to the Bronze Age (fourteenth century BC) and another in “Piazza Roma” ( of the tenth and seventh century BC). The oldest tombs document the rite of incineration, the ashes were collected mostly in jars. Starting from the sixth century AD were used instead the sarcophagus, built with more rows of mud bricks stacked.
We begin with a scholarly curiosity really extravagant, of which spoke us G. Scoglio, who wrote that "[...] Milazzo simply means ‘slip-knot’, namely ‘slip-knot of Messina’, because Messina keeps it as a slip-knot or a ‘halter’ of an animal; if we remove this slip-knot, it runs away. I remember that the noble Peter of Antioch, my father, told me that Frederick II of Swabia (1194-1250) told him that if (...) Messina loses Milazzo, it will can not escape for long time and will fall into enemy hands " (See G. Scoglio, “Monforte San Giorgio e il suo territorio nel Medioevo” [" Monforte St. George and its territory in the Middle Ages], " Editrice Uniservice , 2007: 52).
The name Mirandola comes from 'Mirandula' from the Latin mirari (to watch attentively). Historically, this ancient walled city played a very important role because its strategic location, attracting the attention of both the great medieval lords and of the Church State.
In the twelfth century it belonged to the powerful family of Countess Matilda of Canossa (1046-1115) and it was later a secular domain of the Pico Family, very famous in Italy for being the native town of Pico della Mirandola (1463-1494), the eminent humanist with an exceptional memory and culture. Of Lombard origin, the Pico family exercised important offices in Modena and Reggio. During the twelfth century Pico, the founder of the dynasty, was Podestà of Reggio while Francesco Pico was Podestà of Modena in the early fourteenth century. He obtained the fiefdom and the 'Pieve of Quarantoli' from Emperor Henry VII (1275-1313), making Mirandola the capital of the Duchy, dominated by the castle of the Pico, which was already well established in the early fourteenth century.
The area of Modica is an ancient prehistoric site and the first inhabitants were the Iberians, who lived in nearby caves, where they were found the remains of furniture and objects of daily use, such as the Museum of the city offers an ample evidence. Later the territory was occupied by the Sicanians and Modica in the Norman times became an almost impregnable fortress, and it was ruled, under King Roger II (1095-1154), by Gualtieri (o) di Mohac, whom the king granted the feud.
The Norman conquest laid the basis for the feudal regime and determined the spread of fitted castles, to protect the roads and large landed estates. With the conquest of the Swabians, Modica was escheated in the Royal state property and then was assigned to the family of the"Mosca". From the Swabians the city passed to the Angevin, and under this rule occurred the famous Sicilian Vespers. Around 1300, Modica passed by marriage to the famous family of the Chiaramonte. In fact, Manfredi Chiaramonte (died in 1321), marrying Isabella Mosca in 1286, daughter of Frederick Count of Modica, prepared the ground for the dominion of the County and he was granted the properties already confiscated from Manfredi Mosca, Isabella's brother.
The etymology of the name of the city of Mondovi has its roots in the Latin "Mons Vicus" ["Mountain Village"]. According to G..B. Pellegrini, around 1214, it was called "Monte de Vico" and then it was also called "Royal Mount", or "mountain belonging to the royal domain” (See G.B. Pellegrini, "Italian toponymy", Milan, Hoepli, 1990: 235).
Some sources claim that the city of Monreale was born on the site where there was an ancient Muslim village, called “Bulchar”. Since the mountainous area was the favorite game reserve of the Norman kings, it just for this "royal"frequentation was named in Latin "Mons Regalis", or "Mountain of the King"("Royal Mountain").
This simple traditional history about the origins of Monreale has been confirmed by studies, except that, in reality, the site did not coincide perfectly with "Bulchar", as the Muslim village was located a few miles away. In fact, as we read in the deed of gift of William II, known as "The Good"(1155-1189), the cathedral itself and the village were built "‘juxta’ Bulchar sarracenorum pagum", that is "close"to Bulchar, a "village of the Saracens,"which was located at a range of three miles from Monreale"(See “Archivio Storico siciliano”, 1900, Vol. 25: 444).
Montagnana is built on the site of an ancient prehistoric settlement dating from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.
Later, the Romans made it a "castrum" fortified to defend the bridge over the Adige River, which was a major meeting point of the famous 'Via Emilia Altinate' that linked Modena and Altino. The Latin name of 'Motta Aeniana' comes from the fact that the settlements were on some "motte" (little hills), while the term 'Aeniana' refers to the ancient Roman road called 'Annia', another name for the Via Emilia Altinate.
Between the ninth and tenth centuries the city began to take form around a castle, and by the twelfth century had become a fortified town contended by the great Lords of the time: the Marquis of Tuscany, the Obertenghi and Estes. Around the middle of the 12th century Montagnana became a Municipality.
History
Monte Sant'Angelo developed from the fifth century in relation to the cult of the Archangel Michael, who, according to the tradition, appeared in a cave. The small town is located on a spur of the Gargano with its characteristic medieval district called "Junno", considered the oldest part of the town.
The importance of “Monte Sant’Angelo” is dependent on the Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel, one of the oldest places of worship in Christendom, where, from the Mille until the thirteenth century, developed a school of sculptors whose Master was the archdeacon "Acceptus", who, according to critics, invented a new formal language ("Acceptus" was a sculptor of the Apulia of the eleventh century, of the early Romanesque Age, many famous; in addition to work in Monte Sant'Angelo between 1039 and 1041, he made some works also in the Cathedral of Canosa, where he carved the pulpit, adorned by capitals on pillars, and a lectern supported by an eagle. We know that he was named "Acceptus," and he called himself "Archdeacon").
The town of Montefalco, from its hill, overlooks the plain, which stretches from Spoleto to Perugia. Montefalco was inhabited in ancient times by Umbrian people and probably it also suffered Etruscan influences. Later it was subjected by the Romans, who built many villas. We found this in the place-names as Camiano, Rignano Cortignano and Vecciano, which, in fact, derive from the names of noble families (the presence of the suffix "-anus" implies precisely the idea of ownership). In Roman times the territory was administered by "Municipium of “Mevania” (Bevagna). After the fall of Roman Empire, on remains of Roman villas, several settlements were born, which then were fortified by the Lombards. One of these sites was really Montefalco, which, in late Middle Ages, however, was called “Coccorone”.
The origin of Montepulciano dates back to a remote era; according to tradition it was founded by the Etruscan King Porsenna in the 6th century BC. Others have identified that on this mountain stood a place called "Arretium Fidens" and yet others "Novum Clusium", spoken of by Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD). Many Etruscan and Roman finds have been made in this district confirming its great antiquity.
The name dates from later, and is perhaps unknown until the beginning of the eighth century, when it appears in a document dating to 715 by King Liutprando (690 ca.-744).
The origins of Monza are very old, and they recall a time when the Celtic invaders sent away the Etruscans from Northern Italy. Apart from a few finds of the Bronze Age, we have not local archaeological evidences, except for the following period, when local people met with the Roman Civilization. We have over twenty tombstones of Roman times, which indicate the time when Monza was a "Vicus" ("Village") of the tribe of "Modiciates"; among these, of particular importance are the inscriptions of the Altar dedicated to Hercules, mentioned in inscriptions as "Hercules Modicianus" and ascribed to some young aristocrats taking part of a "Collegium" funeral-religious. The city is mentioned in the inscriptions with the name "Modicia" and also that of "Modoetia", because the two names reciprocated from the tenth century.
The earliest history of Naples is surrounded by a great deal of uncertainty, due to the lack of both a literary tradition and a clear evidence of archaeological finds. Two names are associated with the Naples of antiquity: one is Paleòpolis (meaning the "old town" and perhaps it can be identified with Partenope, which was born near the "Bay of Cuma", the Gulf of Naples was then known) and the other is Neapolis ( or "New City"). This demonstrates the existence of two separate towns.
Some scholars believe that both these towns were of Greek origin, while others maintain that the oldest existed in the pre-Greek age. In any case, the so-called Old Town seems to have been founded around 650 BC by some Greek colonists of Chalcis and Eretria who came nearby Cumae, where they had already been established for a century or so.
“[…] 'Neso' now known as Naso [Nose], so called from ‘Nesia’, a region near Mount Etna, located four miles from the sea (...) At close range eastward there is a shrine called ‘Santa Maria Nasida’ […]” (See Berosi Sacerdotis Chaldaici Antiquitatum Libri Quinque”, Anversa, 1545: “Nesus, nunc Nasus, a Nesia regione iuxta Aetnam, milia quatuor a mari seiunctum (...) Est ad Orientem aedicula parum distans, quae Sancta Maria Nasida nuncupatur”). Two centuries later, we read: “[…]
'Neso' now called ‘Naso’ [Nose], so called from ‘Nesia’, an area four miles from the promontory that we call 'Capo d'Orlando' (...) At close range to the east there is a shrine called ‘Santa Maria di Nasida’ […]” ( See Johannis Baptistae Carusii [Giovan Battista Caruso], “Bibliotheca Historica Regni Siciliae, Panormi [Palermo], 1723, p. 26: “Nesus, nunc Nasus a Nesia regione, milia quatuor a promontorio quod 'Capo d'Orlando' nostri vocant (…) cui vicina aedicula antiqua Orientem versus quo Sancta Maria Nasida nuncupatur”).
About the origins of Noto, much confusion still reigns. The same things are usually repeated that were said a few centuries ago, for example, by Vincenzo Littera, who derived the etymology of "Netum" from the Greek "Nea", the legendary city which would originate Netum, affirming that the foundation of Nea was due to Ducetius, the legendary leader of the Sicules.
We observe at first that the small town of “Oliveri”, in the Province of Messina, is particularly valuable in terms of nature conservation, for which it offers to tourists who love nature various environments characterized by the Marinello lagoons, a natural habitat rich in flora and fauna. On these natural features of exceptional interest will return further; as for now we begin from the historical background of the small town of Oliveri.
Orvieto is a very ancient city, the area of which was inhabited since the Iron Age, then dominated by the Etruscans with the name “Velzna”.
The antiquity of the city is well attested by the name of medieval origin, "Urbs Vetus," or "Old Town", to remember, indeed, the old “Velzna”, which was located in an area virtually inaccessible, and of equipped with more powerful fortifications. "Velzna" was a rich city, due to the fact that it controlled the river communications between Etruria and Rome.
Many Latin writers remembered its power and wealth, such as Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD), who called it "Oppidum Tuscorum opulentissimum" (“Rich fortified city of the Etruscans”), and Valerius Maximus (first century AD), who considered “Volsinii Veteres” “Caput Etruriae” ( “Capital of Etruria”).
Paceco is a farming town, inhabited since the Paleolithic and Neolithic, with a land that bears witness to the persistent presence of an ancient civilization and a Mediterranean vegetation by picturesque scenery, which are the most peculiar aspect of the town and its surroundings. The antiquity of the site of Paceco is proven by the excavations, the remains of which refer to the presence of settlements dating back to the Iron Age, with pottery finely carved of the so-called 'Elim' type.
We must say that the complex issue of the “Elims” (who, according to Thucydides (460-395 BC), were a people of Asian origin) has shed new light not only on the life of this ancient people, but at the same time involving the small town of Paceco. The fact is that scientists, until now, have suggested that the “Elims” were essentially "mountain men", but new archaeological excavations have proved their presence in the plain, and in fact some remains of the “Elims” civilization have recently been found at the site where Paceco is placed, which receives a new importance, not only from a historical but also from a strictly tourist perspective (about the question of the Elims, See Maurizio Vento, “Viaggio nella terra degli Elimi” , Trapani, 1998).
See also history of Akrai for the ancient town that stood on the same location.
Palazzolo Acreide was the town that stood after the dissolution of the former Akrai, due to the destruction of the Arabs. The name "Palazzolo" refers to the Latin term "Palatium" and its diminutive “Palatiolum” or “Pala-c-iolum” [small palace] in some medieval documents, where we record also significant variations, due to the incessant vernacularization of the Latin; so, for example, the modern name of Palazzolo is first recorded [more than as "Balansùl" by Al Idrisi ("The Book of Roger", 1883, p. 55), and “el Akrat” by the Arabs] as “Placeolum” in a bull of Pope Alexander III (1105-1181) in 1169 and as “Palatiolum” in the grant of land made by King William (1153-1181) to the hermit Stefano in 1170. (See Bernabò Brea, in “Siculorum Gymnasium”, 1950: 41). "Palatium", "Palatiolum", "Palaciulum", "Placeulum" and "Palazzolo" are some toponyms widely used in Italy, which gave rise to the name of many cities.
Within the territory of the ancient "Latium" (etymologically "vast plain"), the area, ie, between the Tiber River to the north, Lepini Mountains south, the sea to the west and the pre-Apennines mountains to the east, Palestrina, the Latin name of which was "Praeneste", occupies a position of considerable strategic importance from top of the mountain; surrounded by powerful walls, the city could control the valley of the Sacco River, a nodal point for communications between Etruria and Campania, a region where the Etruscans had some rich settlements. The inhabitants of "Praeneste" bring in, throughout their history, this location in the best way, as evidenced by the monuments and the valuable archaeological finds in the city and surrounding territory. The ancient myths attribute the founding of the city to different characters.
Over the centuries, even Panarea, like all Aeolian Islands was mostly deserted, even in 1825 there were only a thousand people on the island, and probably, between the sixteenth and seventeenth century, the population was even more scarce because of raids of the Turks. The things probably changed after 1693, when the Turks were defeated by the fleet of Lipari (See "Research on rural dwellings in Italy, Olschki., 1973: 112).
Vittorio Giustolisi, who can be considered the re-founder of the studies about Partinico, pointed out that “even if the 'Parthenicum' name always aroused suspicions on a Greek origin of the town, which in Roman, Byzantine and Arab times was located near present Partinico, we have not found any evidence that the site had been a village of Greek origin.
The earliest archaeological traces of Paternò date back to the Neolithic, but the historic city starts with “Ibla”, also called "Galeatis," famous for its sect of priests, able to interpret dreams, and dedicated to the worship of the goddess “Ibla”.
The Hellenization of "Hybla Maior" began as early as the sixth century BC, reflecting the influence of Catania, of Greek origin. In Roman times the worship of the Goddess Hybla experienced a moment of special good fortune, and in fact the Roman cult of "Venus Iblea” was born. With the fall of the Roman Empire, the town suffered serous damages because of the barbarian invasions,; in fact, it was occupied by Goths, Byzantines and Arabs. These were expelled by the Normans led by Ruggero d'Altavilla (1021-1101).
The discussion about the antiquity of Patti is very complex, because it is revolved round Greek documents on parchement translated into Latin, and about which there have been important exegetical studies on the dating and authenticity of them (about these problems very important are the studies by P. Callura, Professor of Latin Paleography at the University of Palermo. See P. Callura, Un sigillo inedito del Gran Conte Ruggero per il Monastero di Lipari” , in "Proceedings of the Academy of Science Letters and Arts of Palermo, 1955: 321 ff.).
Starting from "pretty certain" things, we can say that the name "Patti" appears for the first time in a document of Count Roger (1031-1101) dating back to 1094 on “the large and prestigious Lordship of the Monastery of San Bartolomeo of Lipari and San Salvatore of Patti, donated by Roger to Abbot Ambrose. It included, in addition to the Aeolian Islands and the 'castrum' of Patti, also the territory of the ancient 'Tyndaris'”(See“Ruggero il Gran Conte e l'inizio dello stato Normanno”, Dedalo, 1991: 241 and note 70). Roger I in the document also established that to the Monastery ‘medietatem castelli, quod Nasa nuncupatur’ was granted . [“half of the castle called 'Naso'”]. It’s therefore likely that the first nucleus of the Old ‘Patti’ was built around the "castellum" and the Monastery of San Salvatore.
The ancient history of Pavia dates back to prehistoric times. The city was born not far from the confluence of the Ticino River into the Po River and it was here that first the Ligurians, then the Celtics and later the Gauls chose to settle (the gauls in the 4th century BC). The settlement was at that stage called Ticino, after the name of the nearby river.
The Romans conquered the town in the 2nd century BC while maintaining its name, Ticinum. For its geographical position and the importance of land and river traffic routes (the important 'Via Emilia' passed west of Pavia), the Romans always held Pavia in high esteem. As a result the town was first made a 'Municipium' and then its inhabitants achieved Roman citizenship.
History
In addition to the linguistic data (see etymology below), we also have some important historical elements relating to Peschici confirming even further the relationship between the Slavs and Peschici; in fact, go back to the tenth century the slave colonies of Peschici and “Vico del Gargano”, erected by some Slavs soldiers sent for Emperor Otto I of Saxony to defend the Gargano from the Saracens incursions.
Despite the medieval origin, Peschici and its surroundings are of great archaeological interest; in fact, the “Museum of the Flintstone” in Peschici contains various stone artefacts extracted from the “Sberna” Valley , a location south of the town. In the Gargano promontory are concentrated the most ancient stone complex attributable to an archaic phase of the Lower Palaeolithic. The artefacts found in the “Umbra Forest” (near Peschici) are documented in the local “Museum of the Umbra Forest”, dating back more than 32,000 years BC.
Let's start with the question on the antiquity of Piazza Armerina, identified as one of the "Hyblai" in Sicily, which has produced a series of very important, but also extremely intricate studies . In these introductory remarks, it should be noted that about the question on Hybla from the ancient times there was a great confusion, since, according to Pausanias (110-180 AD), the "Hyblai" were two, while, in Stephen of Byzantium (6th century AD) opinion, were three.
The name Pienza is relatively recent, but the town stands on an older development, probably of Roman or Etruscan origin, which was called Corsignano.
In 12th century the town was listed as Cursinianum (the suffix '-anum' refers to a landed property, belonging to a family called Corsinius). Pienza, however, is a new city established by Pope Pius II, ie the great humanist Enea Silvio Piccolomini (1405-1464), who was born here.
Pietrasanta is a medieval town situated in the popular and attractive Italian region of Tuscany. Pietrasanta has its origins in the Middle Ages, when the town developed around a Lombard castle and had a fascinating medieval history.
In 13th century Tuscany the rulers of the city of Lucca pursued an active policy of subjugating the territories that surrounded them, especially in Versilia. This of course led to a great deal of confrontation with the the local feudal lords, and also ongoing confrontations with the other important cities in the region, such as Pisa.
Ragusa is located in southeastern Sicily, and it is an ancient city which, as we shall see, over the centuries often changed its name. Let's start by noting that the name by which it was known in the ancient world was "Hybla Heraea" on which the ancient historians made a considerable confusion. In fact one said that in ancient times there were in Sicily at least three cities named "Hybla", that is Hybla "Galeatis" (on the slopes of Etna, also known as "Maior", Hybla "Megara" (near Syracuse) and Hybla "Heraea" near the current Ragusa.
Realmonte, together with other areas of Sicily, was founded as part of the territorial structural modification due to the " Ius or licentia populandi" through which the Sicilian nobility of the time had the royal privilege to found new villages with agricultural vocation because of the need granary supply of local populations in the seventeenth century.
In 1650 it belonged to Giovanni Platamone, Duke of Castrofilippo and Mendola, who then sold it to Giovanni Monreale, by whom the city took its name, or “Monte Reale”] ["Mount Royal"], later changed to "Realmonte " [" Royal Mount"]. In 1680, Giovanni Monreale populated his feud of Mendola by drawing a number of farmers and settlers from the nearby municipalities and in the late seventeenth century the church of St. Anthony and castle were found.
We observe first that the history of the origins of Recanati is today, despite the progress of history and language studies, a significant problem of interpretation. The only fact is that the name "Recanati" is attested in a document dating back to 1139, when Pope Innocent II (died September 24, 1143) confirmed some property rights to the monastery of “Fonte Avellana”, naming for the first time in history a church, called "Santa Maria di Recanati [sic]." The document in question, taken from “Camaldolesi Annals”, year 1139, so it said: "[...] Ecclesiam Sancte(ae) Mariae de ‘Recanato’ cum aliis Ecclesiis earumque pertinentiis [...]". I.e., "[We grant the Monastery] the Church of “Santa Maria di 'Recanati', with other churches and all their appurtenances." This ancient document has been handed down to us, and of course, from ancient sources, including Count Monaldo Leopardi (1776-1847) , Giacomo's (1798-1837) father, who had written a “History of Recanati” (See Monaldo Leopardi, “Serie dei Vescovi di Recanati, con alcune notizie della città e della Chiesa di Recanati”, ["Series of Bishops of Recanati, with some city news and the Church of Recanati], Recanati, G. Murici, 1828, p. 46, footnote 1).
History
Rignano Garganico for centuries was ruled by several families of feudal origin. In medieval times, along the "Via Sacra Langobardorum” (built to achieve better Monte Sant'Angelo) Rignano was a military fortress (“Castellum Rigian") to defend the area from external raids. Of the original castle there are the remains of a square tower, and some old houses in the neighbourhood. The first lord of the city was Count Tancred (1138-1194), son of Roger II (1095-1154); in 1158 it was a fief of the “Montesacro” Abbey.
In the first half of the seventeenth century it belonged to the Barons of Corigliano. For most of the nineteenth and twentieth century the small town was devoted mainly to agriculture, with a high rate of emigration; after the Second World War its economic life was revived for the establishment of any industrial plant connected to the processing of the beets.
Roccamena (Calatrasi) was included in the ecclesiastic jurisdiction of the Bishop of Mazara, who in 1176 renounced his rights in favour of the new Diocese of Monreale, with the privilege confirmed in March 1182. In August 1176 William II, called "The Good" (1155-1189), founded the monastery of Santa Maria Nuova of Monreale, and he endowed the church with numerous properties.
E. Mazzarese Fardella was undoubtedly right when he observes that it is very difficult to reconstruct the outlines of the ancient site of Roccella, as “ the legal situation of Roccella is very confused for the coexistence of domains of the Count of Collesano and the Bishop of Cefalù” (See E. Mazzarese Fardella, “I Feudi comitali di Sicilia Dai normanni agli aragonesi”, Milan, Giuffrè, 1974: 28 note 38).
Without entering into details, it should be said that about a "castrum" proper the documents speak since 1385, when Count Ventimiglia effectively built a "castrum":“in qua Roccella constructum est castrum per dictum dominum comitem” [ in the site of Roccella a castle was built by above-said Count Ventimiglia ] (See A. Mazzarese Faldella, "Il tabulario Belmonte”, Palermo, 1983, doc. 33: 115).
History
Coming to "possible" things , presumably decisive for the birth of Rodi Garganico was the advent of the Lombards in Apulia and Gargano, after having defeated the Byzantines; in fact, historical data in our possession positively intertwined with the linguistic data mentioned above. In fact, the Lombards operated a deep restructuring of the Gargano area, and it is in this restructuring that we can glimpse the origins of Rodi Garganico. As S. Fulloni writes, "[...] the conquest of the Lombards had fundamental consequences for the territory, because now the Lombards counted on a strategic stronghold in the East from which they exercised control functions.
Moreover Grimoaldo I (615-661) granted Bishop Barbato of Benevento (602-683) the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Siponto, which was till now an independent Diocese. The entire Gargano then fell under the influence of the Lombards [...]" (See S. Fulloni, “L'Abbazia dimenticata: La Santissima Trinità sul Gargano tra Normanni e Svevi” ["The Lost Abbey: The Holy Trinity on the Gargano between Normans and Swabians"], Liguori, 2006: 41). The great difficulty in clearly identifying the site of Rodi Garganico shows that the location was just one of many "Vici" (villages) or "villas" which was scattered Gargano, and were located next to the small ports; just it is sufficient to recall that, still in the sixteenth century, the town was called "oppidulum Rode” [“ small fortified town of Rodi"].
Saluzzo is mentioned for the first time in 1028, in a document in which it is quoted as a "castrum" belonging to the Marquis of Turin, Olderico Manfredi (10th century) of the “Arduinici” family. However, some scholars, according to archaeological remains from Roman times, have suggested that Saluzzo was an area of ancient settlement, probably dating from the Iron Age. The hypothesis about the etymology of Saluzzo are conflicting, and so we have not unequivocal solutions, although in some cases very similar. We show here the most credible hypothesis, the first of which asserts that Saluzzo derives from the word "Sales", with reference to the “Salii”, a Ligurian people, and “hutum” ("hut", “cabin”), for which Saluzzo indicates “the Salii’s huts” or “Village of the Salii” (See G.. Gerbotto, “Saluzzo e dintorni: guida storico-artistica e turistica”, Saluzzo, 1970 [G.. Gerbotto, "Saluzzo and Surroundings: Art History and Tourist Guide”, Saluzzo, 1970])..
San Cataldo, which was born in an area of ancient settlement, as evidenced by the archaeological remains found in the area, it is not an ancient city, and indeed it was born in the modern age, namely the early seventeenth century. San Cataldo was a "New Town", which was born for the particular international environment linked to the need to increase production of wheat at a time, like that of the seventeenth century, marked by devastating famines.
As happened in other places in Sicily, born at the same time of San Cataldo , it was placed in an area almost depopulated, mainly characterized by the presence of solitaries "casalia" (hamlets) scattered in the countryside; in fact, "we know that in the Norman times this territory was part of the uninhabited feud of ‘Caliruni’ and it belonged to the County of Caltanissetta, including also the territories, which are also well uninhabited, existing adjacent municipalities of ‘Serradifalco’ and ‘Mussumeli’" (See N. Cataldo, “Un paese di Nuova fondazione, San Cataldo dalle origini a oggi”, Centro studi di Cammarata” [“A Town of New Foundations, San Cataldo from its origins to today,” Centre for the Study of Cammarata], 2002: 15).
It was an important centre for trade from the time of its birth as a village near the end the tenth century (988).Many legends are told of the origins of the city, but it is very probable that the ancient San Gimignano was founded in the sixth and seventh century around a church dedicated to San Gimignano, who became the patron saint of the town, and also around Saint Gimignano Castle (also known as the Castello della Selva or 'Castle of the Wood').
In 929 Hugh, King of Italy from 880-948, gave the Bishop of Volterra a town called Monte della Torre that belonged, for many centuries, to the Bishop of Volterra, under whose rule the city grew in terms of buildings (the construction of the Collegiate) and economically because of its strategic geographical position along the Via Francigena. From the early thirteenth century San Gimignano became a Municipality away from the power of the bishop. Between the eleventh and twelfth centuries it improved the city walls, present since its foundation, by which San Gimignano was accessed by three gates (the St. Matthew, St. John and Fountain Gates)
History
According to the recent studies, the origins of San Giovanni Rotondo would be very old; in this sense, it seems that San Giovanni Rotondo is derived from ancient settlements, and in IV-III century BC the village had been Romanized. The local inhabitants, before the advent of Christianity, seems to practice the cult of Janus, in whose honour they built a temple, called "La Rotonda", due to its circular shape.
Afterwards the area's inhabitants were converted to Christianity, the temple was demolished and in its place a church dedicated to St. John the Baptist was built. In Roman times the village was called "Bisanum" or "the village of God with two faces (Janus). The village belonged to the Monastery of “San Giovanni in Lamis”, and the mention of the city with the modern name of "San Giovanni Rotondo" dates back to a document of 1095.
Near the town of San Giuseppe Jato are located the ruins of Jato, destroyed by Frederick II of Swabia (1194-1250), because it was considered one of the most important strongholds of the Arab resistance in Sicily.
Thanks to the scholar’s studies dating back to the eighteenth, we are now able to reconstruct fairly accurately the historical phases of San Leo, which has often often changed its name over the centuries. In the case of San Leo, studying the hisitory of the name tells us the history of the city.
History
Around the monastery of San Marco in Lamis two villages were founded, now known as "San Marco in Lamis” and “San Giovanni Rotondo”. The document dating back to 1007 shows that the monastic structure of San Giovanni in Lamis was already well underway; so it is certain that it and the surrounding village dated back to ancient times, even to the sixth century AD. In fact, R. Infante noted that "the most important and certainly the oldest [in Gargano] was the Benedictine Abbey of San Giovanni in Lamis, who perhaps was originally a 'xenodochium' (literally" hospice ", a sort of hostel, a shelter for strangers), founded by the Lombards.
History and etymology
The name of San Nicandro appeared in a document dating back to 1095, published by Giovanni del Giudice: “[...] In nomine Dei et Salvatoris nostri Jesu Christi, Anno ab incarnatione eiusdem 1095 et décimo quinto anno Regni Domini Alexii Sanctissimi Imperatoris nostri mense novembris Indictione septima, ego Henricus gratia Dei Comes Montis Sancti Michaelis Arcangeli filius, et heres quondam Roberti Comitis bone memorie ... [dono] ... monasterio [ Sancti Joannis de Lama] homines terrarum Vicinarum territorii nostri videlicet Riniani, Castri Pagani, Sancti Nicandri” […]”; or, "In the name of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, in the year of its embodiment 1095, and in the fifteenth year of the government of our Lord and Emperor Alexius, in November, during the seventh Indiction, I, Henry, for God's grace Earl of Monte Sant'Angelo and son and heir of the late Earl Robert of good memory, I give the monastery of “San Giovanni in Lamis” men and lands of our possessions, that are the towns of Riniano, Castel Pagano and St. Nicandro (See the G. del Giudice, "Diplomatic Code of the Reign of Charles I and II", Naples, 1863, V, XIII).
The first mention of a place called "San Severino" is in a document (944 AD) of Bishop Eudone: "[...] Ego Eudo ... Episcopus in honore Beate (ae ) Marie (ae ) Virginis, et omnium caelestium agminum in Castello qui dicitur Sanctum Severinum ... c(o)epi fundamento (a)edificare ecclesiam pro redemptionem animarum [...]"; i.e.: "I, Eodone, Bishop, in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all souls of saints, have built foundations of a church in Castle that is called ‘San Severino’ for the salvation of souls ... "(the document is in Giuseppe Colucci, “Delle Antichità Picene” ["About the Antiquities of Piceno"], Appendix of documents, Document No. II, Fermo, 1790, Volume VIII, p. III).
In medieval times Sansepolcro was known as "Burgus Sancti Sepulchri" (“Sansepolcro Village”), due to the fact that two holy pilgrims, Arcanio and Egidio, coming from the Holy Land, founded a church-chapel here to house in it the many relics they had found in the "Tomb of Christ".
According to other sources, much debated, it seems that the ancient name of the Village was Biturgia, and that it was here that Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) had his sumptuous villa. Over the centuries there has been much discussion over whether Sansepolcro may or may not be the old “Biturgia”, which Ptolemy (90-168) placed among towns in Tuscany nearest to Umbria. Even today there is much uncertainty on the assumption that Sansepolcro corresponds exactly to the ancient settlement founded by the "Bituriges" Gauls (from whose name is derived "Biturgia"). Contemporary archaeological studies near Sansepolcro would suggest rather a "Roman settlement".
The archaeological remains show that Sarzana was inhabited since the Neolithic, but the early history of the city is virtually unknown, and there are a little documentation sources. We know that, at the end of thirteenth century, it appeared as a walled village, which included an ancient tower, which had the "castrum" genuine, and the most recently Archbishopric. Sarzana is first mentioned in a document of 965 of Emperor Otto III (980-1002), in which the “Castrum Sarzanae”, located where now stands the fortress of “Sarzanello”, was recognized as a possession to the Bishop of Luni; in it Sarzana was mentioned as a simple castle, called “Castrum de Sarzana”.
Sciacca was formerly situated in the territory of Selinus, which included just the famous "Baths" known since antiquity as the "Thermae Selinuntiae" and “Aquae Selinuntiae”, located about twenty miles east of Selinus. We do not know with absolute certainty "when" Sciacca was born, but the most likely hypothesis is that it was a place founded or rather "re-populated" by the inhabitants of “Selinunte”, after their city was destroyed by the Carthaginians in 409 BC. Many of those who managed to escape the massacre, says Diodorus [90-27 BC] (“Bibliotheca Historica”, XIII), sought refuge in Agrigento (“Agrigentum salvi pervenere” ["they took refuge in Agrigento "], but when the Carthaginian storm passed, most of them back again to rebuild their town or to find a new place in the surrounding area, creating a new village which was called “Sciacca”. With regard to the etymological meaning of this name, over the centuries many scholars formulated various hypotheses, and all plausible enough, many of which have been "eliminated" by later studies. Incidentally, all in all, despite the diversity of many of them, almost all were referred to Arab origin, with some exceptions.
"From Pozzallo, after 20 miles of trail, the railroad leads to Scicli, which, according to the tradition, was founded by Siculus, King of the Sicanians; others inclined to believe that Scicli was built on the site of the ancient Casmene" (See, G. Battaglia, “Guida descrittiva della Sicilia” Pedone, 1904, p. 176). In these three lines Battaglia introduced the two main historical and etymological subjects of the ancient Scicli.
In Cannes, in 1790, an inscription was found, which tells us the name of “Segesta”, a protective deity of the harvest, whose cult was very rare among the Romans. According to T. Mommsen the inscription was a “forgery”: "[...] Castaldi, No 3, p. 6, CIL, IX, 100: ‘Segestae ... / ... Iulius ... / ex voto ...’. Segesta, to whom this inscription is dedicated, for a wow taken of a certain 'Iulius', (...) is a name of a deity known as 'Segetia' by St. Augustine [354-430 AD] ("De Civ. Dei ", 4, 8) and Macrobius [395-423 AD] (Sat. I, 16.8).
This name also returns on a some coins in the Age of Gallienus [218-268 AD] (...) which have on the obverse the image of Empress Julia Cornelia Salonina ( died 268 AD) and on the reverse a female deity in a temple with the legend "Deae Segetiae" ("Goddess Segesta "). Segesta is an old and poorly documented Roman patron goddess of the harvest (...) In the literature about the subject is conjectured that the name 'Segesta' derives from a popular etymology, or from 'seges' (“crop”)[.. .] "(See M. Silvestrini, “Epigrafi false”, in “Le epigrafi romane di Canosa”, edited by M. Chelotti, V. Morizio, M. Silvestrini, Edipuglia, 1990, vol. II: 42) .
Of ancient Etruscan origin (dating from the 7th century BC), the original settlement here stood on an elevated plain, with very steep slopes and shaped by the two streams that flow around it, the "Folonia" and “Picciolana”. To the east, where the slope was gentler and allowed an easier climb to the hill and the city the Etruscans built a powerful defensive wall surrounded by a wide moat.
Spello is located on Mount Subasio, not far from Assisi, known much more of it. But the old Roman "Hispellum" has an illustrious history too. It was an ancient city of Umbrians, known to Greeks and Latins historians and geographers; Strabo (58-25 ca. BC) calls it “Eispellon”, and Ptolemy (90-168 AD) “Ispellon”. Spello was also a Roman “Municipium” mentioned by Latin writers, as Silius Italicus (26 ca.-101 AD), who mentions it among the cities that provided soldiers to the Romans, engaged in the Second Punic War (218-201 BC), and also Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) made some notes in Spello, describing it as "Colonia Julia Hispellum", since it was refunded by Augustus (63 BC-14 AD), who was responsible for the construction of walls and “thermae”. The city, in an document of Emperor Constantine (274 ca.-337), who granted it the privilege of erecting a temple to "Gens Flavia," called it "Flavia Constans," while in some medieval documents dating from the ninth century AD, it was called “Spellatensis Urbs”, hence the Italian place-name “Spello”.
The origins of Spoleto, located along the slopes of the hill St. Elias, date back to the late Bronze Age, as some remains of the necropolis, found in the perimeter of the city, show. In the fifth and fourth centuries BC the Umbrians occupied the territory, and the city became a "castrum" (Fortress), with the construction of the so-called “Cyclopean walls”, made of huge blocks of polygonal limestone. Spoleto in 241 BC became a colony, and it was built by the Romans, to the merits of loyalty, to the rank of “Municipium”. In fact, Spoleto showed loyalty to Rome, especially during the Second Punic War, opposing with a value to the army of Hannibal (247-182 BC), who advanced to Rome, after defeating the Romans at the Battle of Lake Trasimeno. Indeed, Cicero (106-43 BC) called "Spoletinam Coloniam in primis firmam et inlustrem" [Cicero defined the colony of Spoleto strong and illustrious] (Severus Minervius, see below).
Sybaris was the first and by far the most important of the colonies founded by the Dorians on the coast of southern Italy. The foundation of the town is traditionally dated around 720 BC (according to Pseudo-Scimno [III century]) or 708 B.C. (according to Eusebius [III-IV century]), but it is likely that we should really go back to around 750 B.C., since by 700 BC, the Sybarites had established a settlement of about 300,000 inhabitants and an important power base which included, among many other colonies, that of Posidonia (also known as Paestum), a city that lies at the mouth of the Silarus river (today 'Sele'), on the Tyrrhenian coast of Lucania.
In the early seventh century B.C. Posidonia was renowned for its city walls that followed a pentagonal plan, and extended over four miles, interspersed with square towers and four gates: certainly the most magnificent example of fortification that has reached us of all the Greek cities of Southern Italy. The fame of Posidonia is also, and above all, linked to its three temples: the Temple of Hera (mid-sixth century B.C.), the temple of Ceres-Athens (late sixth century B.C.), and the temple of Poseidon (mid fifth century B.C.).
Around 733 BC Doric populations originating from Corinth, led by the oecist Archias, founded Syracuse in Sicily on the islet of Ortigia, where there already existed a nucleus of Sicilians.
The etymology of the name Syracuse is uncertain: it seems that the name derives from "Sirokos" (the Sirocco wind), or, more likely, from "Sirakousai" (the "Salt Water") or, perhaps more likely, the name might come from Syraka, which was the marsh between the Anapo and Cyane Rivers. Some scholars, however, argue that the name is in reality of Phoenician origin, signifying The Rock of Sea-gulls.
The colony of 'Taras' was founded around 705-706 B.C. (although some scholars believe it dates from even earlier, around 800 BC), when some Spartans settled here. Taras (later Taranto) was destined to become one of the most famous cities of 'Magna Graecia' (the Greater Greece Empire).
Taras was probably the name of the place where the settlers arrived, which was already occupied by pre-existing Italic peoples called the Japigi, who, according to Thucydides (460-404 B.C.) and Strabo (58 c.-25 c. B.C.), named the place in honour of Taras, the son of Poseidon ( Neptune) and the nymph Satyria (Taras is widely represented on ancient coins of Taranto, called Nummus).
Recent discoveries of Archeology go back in Tarquinia to a very ancient time. In the past, scholars believed that the city dated back to the seventh century BC, but, apparently, it should go further back in time, even to the ninth-tenth century BC, as some type of “Villanovian” tombs have been identified. Scholars agree in recognizing Tarquinia in the ancient Etruscan city of “Tarchna" or "Tarchuna", the etymology of which refers to the noble “Tarquinius”. There is general agreement on this etymology, though some scholars (See G. de Santis, “Scritti minori”, Ediz. di storia e Letteratura, 1970: 342) has raised some concern, because, in his opinion, "Tarchna" should be traslated into Latin as “Tarqui-t-ius”, and not “Tarqui-n –ius”; however, the relation "Tarchna"-"Tarqui-n-ius" is generally accepted. Tarquinia is located about 200 meters above sea level in Maremma ( Latium), near Viterbo.
In 252 BC the city was conquered by the Romans, who called it "Thermae Himeraeae" or "Thermae Himerenses", and where they built an aqueduct, the so-called "Cornelius’ Aqueduct”, which is still studied for its unique technical solutions implemented by Roman engineers (See, about the aqueduct, O. Belvedere,“L'Acquedotto Cornelio di Termini Imerese”, Rome, 1986, vol. I).
In the Middle Ages Termini Imerese was a Bishopric and under the Normans it enjoyed various privileges. But we can say that Termini Imerese was particularly flourishing in the fourteenth century. For its very strategic location, it was the seat of a military garrison, equipped with prisons, a hospital and especially by some great trades, because of a strong mercantile middle class, among which numerous Jewish communities.
The area of Terracina was formerly inhabited by the Etruscans in the sixth century BC, and later by the Volsci. The etymology of Terracina seems to have its roots in the Etruscan word "Tarchna" or "Tarchuna", which is a family name, "the same name of Tarquin" (See AA.VV., "Circeo, Terracina and Fondi", Institute Polygraphic State Library, 1966, p. 12). Under the Romans rule, in the first decades of the second century BC, were built many paved streets, temples of marble, with columns and statues, villas, shrines, oracles, and also the impressive acropolis, the temple of “Jupiter Anxur” on Mount St.Angel.
In the early history of the small town of "Terrasini" there are some elusive things, which still have not been disclosed, and the first thing we do not understand is the true meaning of “Terrasini.” What we have above said might seem contradictory, because almost all scholars ( with some exceptions) seem to agree with V. Amico, according to whom "[...] probably the name of Terrasini derives from the near promontory called 'Rama', that form with the opposite Cape San Vito the Gulf of ‘Castellammare’, which is the ancient ‘Sinus Aegestanus’.
The town of Tindari is mentioned by many authors and ancient geographers with different names; the most common was “Tyndaris”, while for Ptolemy [100-175 AD] was "Tyndarion", and for Archestratus [mid 4th century BC] (quoted in Athenodorus (mid 3rd century BC ) [VII, 302 a, fragment 34.7 in Brandt]) was “Tyndaris akté”(meaning “the promontory of Tindari”). The inhabitants of Tindari were called “Tyndarìtai”, a Greek name translated into Latin as “Tyndaritani”. Tindari on ancient coins was indicated as the “city of ‘Tyndarìdes’”. The Greek word "Tyndarìdes" were given the male descendants of Tindarus, that is Castor and Pollux. According to mythology, Tindarus, son of Ebalus, King of Sparta, after his expulsion from Sparta, was the husband of Leda and father of Castor, Pollux, Helen and Clytemnestra (See Cicero (106-43 BC), “De Fato”, 34, and Ovid (43-18 BC), “Heroides”, 8, 31).
Todi, the ancient “Tuder”, is situated on a hill about 400 meters above sea level, between the rivers Naja and Rio, tributaries of the Tiber. In pre-Roman period, Todi was the most powerful fortress city of the Umbrias ("In umbris Tuder sunt principes" ["The ‘Tudertini’ are the first among the Umbrians" (Cato [243-149 BC])], in defending their territory, a difficult area, bordering on the Etruscans. In this sense, as a border area with Etruria, the etymology of the city is explained with one accord by all scholars, who interpret the name "Tuder" as "border town". "[.. .] Todi (‘Tuder’) seems to reflect the Umbro-Etruscan term 'Tular-Tuder', 'border' [...]" (See “Archivio Glottologico Italiano”, Florence, Le Monnier, 1983, Vol. 68-71, p. 149). According to the studies, despite the strenuous defence of the Umbrias, the presence of the Etruscans in “Tuder”, however, was massive and important, as is testified by the Etruscan funerary furniture discovered in the city.
The old Tolentino - “Tolentinum” - is situated on a hill round base, at the foot of which Chienti River flows. Tolentino is in a territory of ancient settlement; archaeological studies show the presence of hunters in Lower Paleolithic, as well as the civilization is well attested in the Iron Age necropolis of Tolentino (sixth century BC), which has funeral finds giving signs of the presence of a warrior society, for presence of weapons, bronze vessels, potteries and various ornaments in tombs. The cemeteries of Marches were well described by archaeologists; they consist of graves without overlap, and the deceased was found in a crouching position with his head resting on a stone. As regards the Roman penetration, studies pointing to deduction of colonies in Marches, including "Tolentinum", around the third century BC (For these aspects, see G. Buti-G. Devoto, “Preistoria e Storia delle Regioni Italiane” [" The Prehistory and History of Italian Regions"] , Florence, Sansoni, 1975, pp. 81-86).
The geography of Ptolemy (100-170 AD) indicated a city called "Olulis", located between Solunto and Termini Imerese (“inter Eleutarii ostia, et Thermas himerenses 'Olulis’”) that corresponded exactly to Trabia. Many ancient and modern historians argued that Ptolemy was wrong and that therefore "Olulis" was not the ancient Trabia.
We read usually that Trapani derives from "Drepanon" which means "sickle." This, in itself, is essentially correct, but frequently it involves some confusion because the name "Drepanon", "Drepana", and "Drepane" is very common among the place names in the Mediterranean area; like this are called “two islands close to Lebinto (Steph. Byz.), a promontory on the northern coast of Crete (Ptol., III, 17, 7), the big ledge of the Peloponnese on the Achaean coast (4, 1) "(See G. Semeraro, “Le origini della cultura eeuropea”, Olschki, 1984, 2, p. 614). In fact the etymology of Trapani more than from "Drepanon" [singular = the sickle], would derive from "Drepana" [plural (neutral)= the sickles].
According to a well-established critical tradition, the “Castello di Tusa” coincides with the site of the ancient city of "Alaisa", in Latin "Halaesa.” The ruins of “Halaesa” spread, about two hundred meters of altitude, on the eastern side of a hill to the left of the stream Tusa (the ancient "Halaesus") a mile from the coast north to the mouth of which there was the town harbour (Cicero’s [106-43 BC], "Oratio in Verrem”, II 2, 185).
The archaeological remains found “in situ”, among which those of a temple dedicated to Apollo presumably demonstrate the validity of the assumption proposed by many experts. Diodorus [90-27 BC] (14.16.2) tells us that the town was founded by Archonides from Herbita to the early fifth century BC (that is around 403-402 BC); with Archonides, who was the 'oikistes” [ecista] of it, participated three different groups, namely the "mistophoroi”, who formed the so-called "symmikton ochlon", a moltitude of exiles whom the war against Syracuse had literally condemned to wander in exile.
Tuscania, like many neighboring towns, is situated on seven headlands tuff, located between the rivers “Marta” and “Capecchio”, overlooking the valley of “Marta”, an important road that connected, since prehistoric times, the Lake of “Bolsena” with the Tyrrhenian Sea. The etymology of the city is quite transparent. The Romans called the city "Tuscana", from "Tuscia" ("Etruria"); thus, "Tuscana" was "the city of the Etruscans”. Secondiano Campanari, in the nineteenth century, noted that " [...] really, from 'tuscaniensis' [" inhabitant of Tuscana "] should come 'Tuscan-i-a' and not 'Tusc-a-na', but it is certain that, in ancient times, this town was called both ways [...]" (see Secondiano Campanari in “Giornale Arcadico di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti” ["Arcadian Journal of Sciences, Letters and Arts"], Rome, 1837, p. 50). Campanari then adds that in medieval times it was also called "Tuscanella" and "Toscanella," perhaps to avoid confusion with the Region of Tuscany.
Writing of Urbino 2500 years ago, Servius, in his "Commentary of the 'Aeneid'" (5, 755), wrote: "[...] Et ita sulco ducto loca murorum designabant [...]" - "And thus, tracing the furrow, they indicate the position of walls [...]", and traces of Roman walls are also now preserved in the Lapidary Museum of the “Palazzo Ducale”.
Ustica was known, albeit imperfectly, in the ancient world. The ancient sources about Ustica are Ptolemy (100-175 AD), Diodorus (who lived in the 1st century BC), Pomponius Mela (who wrote around AD 43) and Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD). Pomponius Mela wrote : “[...] Africam versus Caulos, et Melita, Cossura, propius Jtaliam Galata, et illae septem quas Aeoli adpellant Osteodes, Lipara, Heraclea, Didyma, Phoenicusa, ac sicut Aetna perpetuo fragrante igne Hiera et Strongyle [...] (See Pomponii Melae, “De Chorographia”, Libri Tres, Berolini, 1867: 60); or “Toward Africa , Gaulos [in Greek “Gàulos”, now Gozo], Melita [Malta], and Cossura [ in Greek “Kòsyra”, now Pantelleria]; nearer Italy, Galata [Greek “Kalàthe”] and those seven they call the isles of Aeolus [the Lipari islands], Osteodes [Ustica], Lipara [Lipari], Heraclea [Alidudi], Dydima [Salina], Phoenicusa [Filicudi], and the two like Aetna, Hiera [Vulcano] and Strongyle [Stromboli], which burns with uninterrupted flame”.
Ventimiglia is located at the mouth of the River Roia, which flows into the Ligurian Sea. The Roia divides the city into two zones, the Medieval Part, the so-called "Upper Ventimiglia," and the modern town, built from the beginning of the nineteenth century on the Left Bank.
Once again we owe to Paolo Orsi (1859-1935) the first pioneering studies on the territory of Vizzini; the eminent archaeologist, laid the foundations of knowledge about the city, the site of which was mistakenly overlooked, from an archaeological and topographic point of view.
A very ancient city of Etruscan origin, Volterra was originally known by the name of Velathri, a term quite widely used across the Etruscan region. According to linguists Velathri derives from the ancient 'Velzna', a term also related to other place names such as Feltre, the old Volsinii (Orvieto), and Bologna (in the Etruscan language 'Felsina' or 'Felsnal'). The name, according to the most authoritative Italian scholars, while indicating a place, would originally have been an ancient name of a noble family then later becoming a place name. As for the meaning of the term, it seems that the Etruscan names containing the root 'Vel' usually indicated a height, a hill. By extension, the same root as "Vel" was found in the names of families of "high" status. The Romans translated the name as Volaterrae
The important Roman monument of Villa del Casale is best known for its very fine mosaics. See Piazza Armerina for general information, article below for detailed interpretation of the importance and symbolism of the mosaics at Villa del Casale.
The city of Orvieto identifies itself with its cathedral, one of the greatest masterpieces of Italian Gothic, built between 1290 and 1330. Inside it contains a number of works of art of extraordinary value, like the bronze bust of Urban VIII (1568-1644) by Bernini (1598-16809, the "Madonna and Saints" by Pinturicchio (1454-1513), some frescoes by Gentile da Fabriano (1375-1427), Filippo Lippi (1406-1469), and Signorelli (1445-1523).
Soranus is the ancient name for the hill town of Sorano, in Tuscany, Italy. Our contributor also kindly included some interesting notes about the roots of the name of the town, a fascinating story that tells us a little about why the twon came into being 2500 years ago, that I include here for the curious and the interested:
With regards to the etymology of Sorano, studies point to a noble family name, "Soranus", and nothing more; but it should be noted that Sorano was an Etruscan area, as amply demonstrated by the cemetery surrounding the village, and the Etruscans deeply rooted worship of God "Soranus", a cult that was practiced in the mountainous and inaccessible areas.
