So numerous are the prehistoric findings in Perugia and its surroundings that the group of small hills on
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which the city stands must have been inhabited during the most remote times. According to Cato, a village was
founded by the Sarsinati Umbrians during the protohistorical period. Then the Etruscans, moving from the
Tyrrhenian regions inland, took over somewhere between the 6th and 5th centuries. It wasnot until later,
between the 4th and 3rd centuries, when Perugia became one of the twelve Etruscan territories ruled by a
lucomon and Rome's proud rival, that the strength of the city was seen. She fell into Roman hands with the
Battle of Sentino (295 BC), but continued to prosper and maintain a certain political autonomy. This was
most likely the period in which the circle of walls rose around the city: however there are contrasting opinions
about the exact date. The Perugians remained faithful to Rome during the 2nd PunicWar, even when
Trasimeno was overthrown (217 BC) andmany of the survivors from Flaminius' army sought refuge inthe city.
The following year a group of Perugians helped the Romans defend the Castle of Casilino near Capua.
Nothing of historical importance happened during the 2nd century or the first half of the first.
The many monuments of this period tell us that the city prospered, while the Roman dominion became
increasingly more incisive. Unfortunately in 141 BC Perugia was one of the centres involved in the battle
between Octavius and Lucius Antonius, Marcus Antonius' brother. Lucius defended himself for some time
within the walls of the city, finally surrendering in February 140 BC. The town was destroyed by a fire,
sacked and the Perugian senate massacred.
Once the "Bellum perusinum" was over, Octavius had the weary city rebuilt
(its dominion was reduced to sevenand a half stadi - 4,500 feet - from the walls) and it was then
named "Augusta Perusia".
At the time of the Empire Perugia lost much of its importance leading a rather obscure and provincial life.
There is no knowledge as to when Christianity became widespread but it was well established in the 4th century.
It was not until the second half of the 5th century that Perugia was to have an organised diocese which
took on more importance as the civil authorities gradually disappeared with the political and administrative
decline of the Empire. The authority of the Bishop, the sole spiritual and material leader of the city, emerged
during the Gothic War in which Perugia played first part. Besieged by Totila, the city was long defended by the
Bishop St. Ercolano, who was later betrayed, enabling the Gothic king to possess and devastate it. Ercolano was
massacred in 548 a.d. for hisheroic stand.
There is little news of the city's history for the centuries to follow (until after the year 1000): Perugia was in
By-zantine hands for some time and then was passed over to the Church in the 8th century. The 11th century
gave birth to the Communes, but it is difficult to date the beginning of the free institutions.
Wars with the neighbouring towns of Chiusi, Cortona, Assisi, Todi and Foligno marked the 12th century.
In 1130 the inhabitants of the Isle of Polvese on lake Trasimeno surrendered to Perugia.
This was the first sign of such a magistrature which, later (1183) was to coexist with the Podesta.
The 13th century began with the War of Assisi: the Perugians defeated the enemy in the battle at Collestrada
and amongthe prisoners was the young Francesco di Bernardone(1202). This was the beginning of the most
favourable period the city was to experience: it grew uninterruptedly, increasing its territories, dominating,
in one direction, the plains of the Valley of Chiano, and in the opposite direction, the Appennine slopes. The
city's policies, closely supporting the Church Jive conclaves were held in the city between 1216 and 1305)
brought her greater prestige as well aseconomic and military power, especially after the death of Frederick
11 (1250).
She grew wealthy with magnificent monuments, the Great Fountain, the Priors' Palace, the large
churches of the mendicant Orders. Perugia developed as a free city and the University was established (1308).
Her luck did not fade when the Papacy was transferred to Avignon (1305), indeed it profited by this during
the first half of the 14th century. However it was right at this peak of economic and
political expansion that the events which were to cause the downfall of the city were felt. First there was
the battle bet ween the wealthy people and the common people suppor ted by the noblemen (i.e.
between the Raspanti and the Beccherini).
The rivalry grew among the powerful families -Montesperelli, Vincioli, Montemelini, Della Corgna,
Oddi, Baglioni. A fight between the latter two continued throughoutthe 15th century until the victory and
rule of the Baglioni. The city nominally returned to the Church after the Battle of Brufa(1368). She witnessed
the dominion of several noblemen, captains of fortune - Biordo Michelotti, Braccio Fortebraccio, Niccolo
Piccinino and Braccio Baglioni, who most established his family's power. The Commune, on the other
hand, fell into decay, and with the decreasing freedom, the economic and social conditions worsened.
The coup degrace was given by the Salt War (1540) which broke out as a result of a popular uprising
against the imposition of a tax on salt by the Farnese Pope, Paolo lII.
Perugia resisted only briefly before she was conquered by Pier Luigi Farnese, the Pope's nephew.
The Baglioni Palaces were destroyed (an enormous fortress was built on the ruins - Rocca Paolina),
the ancient judiciary was abolished and a pontefical governor enforced. For over three centuries Perugia
was under the Church's dominion.The first awakenings of independence were observed with the com of
Napoleon and the resulting turmoil. Full participation in the movement towards freedom did not takeplace,
however, until the Risorgimento. After a number of episodes, the destruction of Rocca Paolina (1848),
the uprising of the city and the massacre of Perugia (1859), Vittorio Emanuele lI's soldiers occupied the
capital of Umbria (1860) and henceforth Perugia became part of the Kingdomof Italy. The history of the
city then became that of the Italian State.
Legend of the Pictures:
1. The Gryphon symbol of Perugia
2. Porta Marzia and the Church of Sant'Ercolano
3. 15th century Perugia