1.
Ancient History: The Gulf of Salerno was inhabited by ancient
Italic tribes long before the rise of the
Roman Empire. The foundation of Poseidonia (later
Paestum) dates back to this era. The original nucleus of Salerno itself was founded by the
Etruscan in the
3nd century BC and the city progressively played a significant role in the region's history. 2.
Roman Era:
Salerno was known in Roman times as Salernum. It became an important
Roman colony and was renowned for its productivity. The gulf served as a vital hub for trade and transportation, providing access to the sea. Amalfi appears to have been founded by a Roman family bound for
Constantinople. When their ship ran aground on a nearby shore, they settled the area, naming it Melphes (today
Melfi). A few years later, they moved further north and established a new town, which they called "A Melphes" in memory of the abandoned village of Melphes – hence today's town of Amalfi. 3.
Medieval Period: In the
Middle Ages, Salerno and the surrounding areas were part of the
Lombard Duchy of Salerno. The city was a center of learning and culture, especially during the
5th-
7th centuries, when
Roman Catholic diocese of Salerno was established, and in the
9th and
10th centuries when the
Schola Medica Salernitana, a famous medical school, was established, close the
Giardino della Minerva. The
Alfano I interest in medicine and the translation of Arabic treatises on the subject led him to invite
Constantine the African from
Carthage to Salerno to assist him. The town of Amalfi was the capital of the
maritime republic known as the
Duchy of Amalfi, an important trading power in the Mediterranean between
839 and around
1200. 4.
Norman Conquest: In 1076 the
Normans conquered Salerno and the surrounding region under
Robert Guiscard, incorporating it into the
Kingdom of Sicily. This marked a significant change in the area's political and cultural landscape. In 1084
Saint Matthew Cathedral was consecrated by
Pope Gregory VII. The
University was founded in 1150. In 1194 Salerno was sacked by forces of |Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor and in 1260
Port of Salerno construction begins. 5.
Renaissance and Beyond: Salerno and the Gulf continued to thrive in the
Renaissance era. However, the region's importance gradually declined over the centuries as
Naples,
Palermo and other nearby cities became more prominent centers of trade, culture, and politics. 6.
Modern History: In the modern era, the Gulf of Salerno has seen its share of artistical and historical events, including the
Grand Tour of artist like
Joseph Wright of Derby -with his "
Grotto in the Gulf of Salerno" and the involvement in World War II when it served as a
landing point for the Allied forces during the Italian Campaign. ==Climate==