The first traces of human settlement in the area date from the early
Palaeolithic period. These sites include the
Romito Cave at
Papasidero, including wall paintings of
bovidae. Cosenza began as a settlement of the Italic
Bruttii tribe, and became their capital before the Romans invaded the area. The town was conquered by the
Romans in 204 BC and was named Cosentia. Starting from the 8th century BC, the current provincial area became part of the so-called
Greater Greece, or
Magna Graecia (
Latin). Greek cities, including
Sibari and
Pandosia, were mostly located on the coastal area and at the foot of the
Pollino massif. King of the
Visigoths Alaric I conquered the region during the later stages of the
Western Roman Empire and according to legend, Alaric I is buried in Cosenza along with a large treasure hoard. Later Cosenza fell under the rule of the Byzantine Empire for a brief period of time, before being conquered by the
Lombards, as part of the
Duchy of Benevento.
Roger II of Sicily made it the capital of Terra Giordana in the 12th century. In Modern times, as part of the
Kingdom of Naples and later of the
Kingdom of Two Sicilies, the province remained mostly a rural area devoted to agriculture and animal husbandry.
Feudalism was abolished only in the 19th century. The area was also seat to several forms of
brigandage during the centuries. == Demographics ==