The History of Tuscia
In ancient time the Tuscia area was called Etruria, in Latin Hetruria or Aetruria and takes its name from its inhabitants, called Etruscans or Etruri. This area included vast areas of Tuscany, Lazio and Umbria, and finally became part of the Roman State in 89 B.C.
The Etruscans were a population of oriental ethnics, perhaps originating from Lydia, at the start of the X century settled in central Italy, between the Tyrrhenian sea and the Arno and Tevere Rivers, thus expanding their dwellings both north and south.
The Etruscans had the upper hand on the less evolved autochthon populations, with whom they eventually integrated.
They excelled in the workmanship of metals, weapons, arts, in navigation, in hydraulic engineering and construction. They were organized in groups of 12 cities, the ones in central Italy were Arezzo, Cerveteri, Chiusi, Cortona, Perugia, Populonia, Tarquinia, Veio, Vetulonia, Volsinii, Volterra, Vulci, each governed by a Lucumon.
The Etruscans had the upper hand on the less evolved autochthon populations, with whom they eventually integrated.
They excelled in the workmanship of metals, weapons, arts, in navigation, in hydraulic engineering and construction. They were organized in groups of 12 cities, the ones in central Italy were Arezzo, Cerveteri, Chiusi, Cortona, Perugia, Populonia, Tarquinia, Veio, Vetulonia, Volsinii, Volterra, Vulci, each governed by a Lucumon.
The most ancient city they founded was probably Tarquinia in the VIII century B.C. They reached their maximum, level of development in the VI century, then commenced a slow decadence and as the Romans moved further north, the Etruscan cities fell one by one: Cerveteri fell first followed by Tarquinia, in 309 B.C.
In 264 B.C. the Romans conquered the Etruscan city of Velzna, where Orvieto can be found today, and finally during the III century the Roman Empire conquered them all, after completely decimating them during the battle along the shores of Lake Vadimone in 300 B.C. (which dried up in around 1600), evidence of which can be found today in the Municipality of Vasanello.
The Etruscans are considered a "mystery" because no original documents have been found which makes it possible to reconstruct with precision their origins and their history. The inscriptions on the tombs are only sufficient to understand their alphabet. The historical news available is doubtful because it is mainly reported by Roman historians, after some centuries had passed.
From the second century AD. the Romans also began to use the name Tusci and Tuscia in their territory. Following the reform by Emperor Domiziano (81-96 AD) Umbria and Etruria were united in a single governed province, like the other five in central and southern Italy, by a vicarius urbis;
Tuscia is the official denomination of Etruria established in the administrative rearrangement of ancient Italy by Emperor Diocleziano (284-305), but it had already been for some time a name that was commonly used.
After the Roman era, Italy became the land to be conquered and particularly Tuscia was highly contended by Popes, German Emperors and French Kings. The main cities involved were Viterbo and Orvieto, often battling against each other.
In 264 B.C. the Romans conquered the Etruscan city of Velzna, where Orvieto can be found today, and finally during the III century the Roman Empire conquered them all, after completely decimating them during the battle along the shores of Lake Vadimone in 300 B.C. (which dried up in around 1600), evidence of which can be found today in the Municipality of Vasanello.
The Etruscans are considered a "mystery" because no original documents have been found which makes it possible to reconstruct with precision their origins and their history. The inscriptions on the tombs are only sufficient to understand their alphabet. The historical news available is doubtful because it is mainly reported by Roman historians, after some centuries had passed.
From the second century AD. the Romans also began to use the name Tusci and Tuscia in their territory. Following the reform by Emperor Domiziano (81-96 AD) Umbria and Etruria were united in a single governed province, like the other five in central and southern Italy, by a vicarius urbis;
Tuscia is the official denomination of Etruria established in the administrative rearrangement of ancient Italy by Emperor Diocleziano (284-305), but it had already been for some time a name that was commonly used.
After the Roman era, Italy became the land to be conquered and particularly Tuscia was highly contended by Popes, German Emperors and French Kings. The main cities involved were Viterbo and Orvieto, often battling against each other.
Skipping a rather long period, no less important where in the territory there was the alternated presence of, among others, The Goths, The Lombards and The Sacred Roman Empire of the Carolingi dynasty, we reach 1534 when, after the death of Clement VII, at the age of 67 Cardinal Alessandro Farnese was elected Pope and assumed the name of Paul III.
He too was a great patron of the Renaissance.
In Tuscia he ordered the building and restoration of palaces in Gradoli, Capranica, Capodimonte and other smaller ones, together with his nephew Cardinal Alexander.
Paul III was a resolved and appreciated Pope, but he was also affected by an nepotism which was reckless to say the least. During his career as a Cardinal he had four children, two of whom died very young: Pier Luigi and Constance survived and fought to be recognized as legitimate offspring to guarantee themselves a prosperous future.
Costanza married a member of the Orsini family from Pitigliano.
This period is remembered in stupendous fortification castles belonging to the Orsini dynasty, situated in strategic positions to defend the territory, and Farnese Palace in Caprarola.
He too was a great patron of the Renaissance.
In Tuscia he ordered the building and restoration of palaces in Gradoli, Capranica, Capodimonte and other smaller ones, together with his nephew Cardinal Alexander.
Paul III was a resolved and appreciated Pope, but he was also affected by an nepotism which was reckless to say the least. During his career as a Cardinal he had four children, two of whom died very young: Pier Luigi and Constance survived and fought to be recognized as legitimate offspring to guarantee themselves a prosperous future.
Costanza married a member of the Orsini family from Pitigliano.
This period is remembered in stupendous fortification castles belonging to the Orsini dynasty, situated in strategic positions to defend the territory, and Farnese Palace in Caprarola.