History of Bevagna

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.).

The term was later Romanized in "Mefanas", "Maefanas" and, on the other hand, in Etruscan period, it seems there was in the Samnium a "pagus Mefanus", referring to the same noble. Even J. Marouzeau writes that “Le nome de 'Mevania' provient, sans dout, d'un gentilice étrusque” [“ the name Mevania comes, no doubt, from a Etruscan noble”] (See J. Marouzeau, “Revue des études latines”, Vol. 31-32, 1956: 471), while A.J. Pfiffig, about the existence of a "pagus Mefanus" in Samnium, uses the question mark: "'Mevania' ('Mefana' in Samnium, vgl.. 'Mefanus pagus'?) "[See A.J. Pfiffig “Die Etruskische Sprache: Versuch einer Gesamtdarstellung”, 1969: 190]. In substance, however, Pfiffig hasn’t denied either the etymology. "Mevania" was an important city for the Romans, especially from the point of view, since it is crossed by the “Via Flaminia” and it was mentioned by Latin writers as “Municipium” (Livy [59 BC-17 AD], Pliny the Elder [23-79 AD], Propertius (45 ca-15 BC], Silius Italicus [26-101 AD] and others ).

Thanks to its geographical position and proximity to the “Via Flaminia”, Mevania developed important handicrafts like pottery, which was inspired by "clearly some Greek products of Alexandrine taste, which will flourish throughout the Roman world." The ceramics of Mevania, and especially those coming out of the "Popilius" shop were Megara style of great beauty and elegance, with decorative elements such as ivy leaves, dolphins, masks, vine-leafs and many others (see P.  Puppo, “Le Coppe Megaresi in Italia” [“The Goblets of Megara in Italy”], 1995, p. 23). Mevania was in a clear decline after the fall of Roman Empire; in fact, it suffered serious attacks and destructions both under Frederick Barbarossa (1122-1190) and Emperor Frederick II of Swabia (1194-1250). It became a municipality in the twelfth century, and it is ruled by their own consuls for several years, but then it came under the dominion of  Duchy of Spoleto, Perugia, the Baglioni, and, finally, under the dominion of Church State