The ancient Perusia, now Perugia, first appears in history as one of the 12 confederate cities of Etruria. It is first mentioned in the account of the war of 310 or 309 BC between the Etruscans and the Romans. It took, however, an important part in the rebellion of 295 BC and was reduced, with Vulsinii and Arretium (Arezzo), to seek for peace in the following year.[1]

Perusia
Perusia
Perugia, the Arch of Augustus
Perusia is located in Umbria
Perusia
Shown within Umbria
Perusia is located in Italy
Perusia
Perusia (Italy)
Alternative namePerugia
LocationComune di Perugia, Italy
RegionUmbria
Coordinates43°6′42.0906″N 12°23′26.1384″E / 43.111691833°N 12.390594000°E / 43.111691833; 12.390594000
TypeSettlement
History
PeriodsOrientalizing period - Roman empire
CulturesEtruscan Umbrian Roman
Site notes
Excavation datesyes
Public accessyes

In 216 BC and 205 BC it assisted Rome in the Hannibalic war, but afterward it is not mentioned until 41–40 BC, when Lucius Antonius took refuge there and was reduced by Octavian after a long siege, known as the Perusine War.[1]

A number of lead bullets used by slingers have been found in and around the city.[2][3] The city was burnt, we are told, with the exception of the temples of Vulcan and Juno — the massive Etruscan terrace-walls, naturally, can hardly have suffered at all — and the town, with the territory for a mile round, was allowed to be occupied by whoever chose. It must have been rebuilt almost at once, for several bases exist, inscribed Augusta sacr(um) Perusia restituta; but, as we have seen, it did not become a colony until AD 251–253.[1][4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c   One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domainChisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Perugia". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 21 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 278–279.
  2. ^ CIL xi.1212
  3. ^ Lawrence Keppie (4 January 2002). The Making of the Roman Army: From Republic to Empire. Routledge. pp. 108–. ISBN 978-1-134-74603-3.
  4. ^ Augusta Perusia: Rivista di topografia, arte e costume dell'Umbria. 1908.