Pagani, Campania

In the period before the Roman supremacy in southern Italy, it was included into the territory of , the chief town in the Sarnus valley – Herculaneum, Pompeii, Stabiae and Surrentum all being dependent upon it, according to many archaeologists. It maintained its allegiance to Rome till 309 BC when it joined the revolted Samnites. Hannibal reduced it in 216 BC by starvation, and destroyed the town of . The inhabitants returned when peace was restored. Even during the Social War it remained true to Rome. In 73 BC it was plundered by Spartacus. In the Middle Ages (around the 9th century) a small colony of Saracens was introduced in the town by permission of the Dukes of Naples, but it lasted only a few decades. The territory was merged back to , which took the name of (), inspired by the noble Pagano family living in the castle of , in modern-day Pagani. ==Churches and religion==

Pagani is home to some well-known churches and basilica, including: • The Shrine of Saint Mary the Crowned of Carmel (), commonly known as the Shrine of Our Lady of the Hens (). This Marian shrine hosts the annual Feast of Our Lady of the Hens (). During this week, people dance in the streets to the tammurriata (or tarantella). ==Sports==

The town is home to the Italian third-division Serie C football club, Paganese Calcio 1926, whose home ground is the 6,000-seat Stadio Marcello Torre. ==See also==