Ancient times The first settlement of
Potentia (Potenza's original Latin name) was probably located at a lower elevation than at present, some south of mdoern-day's Potenza. The
Lucanians of
Potentia sided against
Rome's enemies during the latter's wars against the
Samnites and the
Bruttii. Subjugated during the 4th century BC (later gaining the status of
municipium), the Potentini rebelled after the Roman defeat at
Cannae in 216 BC; however, the
Battle of the Metaurus marked the end of any
Carthaginian aspirations in Italy and
Potentia was reconquered by the Romans and reduced to the status of military colony.
Middle Ages In the 6th century, the city passed to the
Duchy of Benevento, which was ruled by the
Lombards. Incursions by
Saracen raiders menaced the city until the
Norman conquest of southern Italy secured the area. In the 12th century, Potenza became an
episcopal see. In 1137, the city hosted
Pope Innocent II and Emperor
Lothair II during their failed attempt to conquer the Norman kingdom. In 1148 or 1149,
Roger II of Sicily was in Potenza to host King
Louis VII of
France, whom the Norman fleet had freed from the Saracens. After pillaging by Emperor
Frederick II, the city remained loyal to the
Hohenstaufen; as a result, it was almost totally destroyed by
Charles I when the Angevin lord conquered the
Kingdom of Sicily. On 18 December 1273, an earthquake further devastated the city.
Modern age In the following years of the Late Middle Ages, the city was owned by various feudal families before the Spanish domination, during which Potenza was the site of riots against the Spaniards. In 1694, it was almost completely destroyed by another earthquake, known as the
1694 Irpinia–Basilicata earthquake. With the declaration of the
Neapolitan Republic in 1799, Potenza was one of the first cities to rebel against the king. After temporary Bourbon repression, the city was conquered by the French army in 1806 and declared the capital of Basilicata. King
Joachim Murat improved the city's living conditions and administration, while some urban improvements were also introduced for the visit of
Ferdinand II in 1846. A revolt broke out in 1848 and was again put down by Bourbon forces, until a third devastating earthquake (known as the
1857 Basilicata earthquake) followed in 1857. Potenza rebelled for the last time in 1860, before
Giuseppe Garibaldi's revolutionary army brought about the
unification of Italy. In September 1943, the city suffered heavy
Allied bombing. In 1980, another strong earthquake (known as the
1980 Irpinia earthquake) struck Potenza. == Climate ==