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| Historical knowledge: Founded by the Umbrians in prehistoric epoch there where now Perugia arises. The Etruscans in expansion towards the Tyrrene arrived between the VIth and Vth century b.C. Around the VIth century b.C. the high roads were controlled by the inhabitants of acropolis, in the meantime the real and proper development became relatively later on respect of the other cities of Etruria. Between the IIIrd and Ist century b.C., Perugia transform itself with full right in the most important city of the «Alta Valle del tevere» (high valley of the Tiber). Even when the influence of Rome is always more evident (a conquest which occurs not only with weapons but also through culture, the way of attitude, the sense to «stand» to the world). Perugia still preserves etruscan manifestations, from this epoch are the walls which fence it. A recent discovery of the tomb of the Gutu is an evident example. Well connected with the other etruscan centres, Perugia enters into an alliance with the Etruscans from the other places, on the thread of a spiritual inheritance never extinguished. Its politics undulate: friend or contraries of Rome until the unavoidable submission. And in the sphere of the Eternal City, Perugia is unavoidably involved in the agitations, the rivalry and internal wars with the neighbouring metropolis. During the contention between Antonio and Ottaviano Lucio Antonio, brother of the Triunviro, found shelter and prompt reception within its walls. Ottaviano besieged it and conquered it in 40 b.C. And from this moment on Perugia, through Ottaviano, grew rich and was called Augusta: a not so hidden way to put in evidence the submission and almost the property. With the battle of Sentino in 295 they were subjected to the Romans, who after the tragic battle of the Trasimeno, took refuge increasing the Populat.. During the Empire the city's life glides tranquil. With the leap of some centuries, coming to the middle of the third century a.C. when the emperor Vibio Treboniano Gallo gave himself the "ius colonige" and from this moment the city, already municipality, took the name Colonia Vibia Augusta Perusia. With the dissolution of the Roman Empire, even Perugia underwent the destiny of a vessel hit by a great tempest. Barbarian invasions follow frequently, the most heavy is the one of Totila in 547. After the battle of Totila in which its bishop Ercolano lost his life. In 1308 the University rose. Perugia is constituted in commune with popular government, this is the beginning of a very long history made of many Iights and some zones of shade. Stronger than the Umbrian sisters, approved to assume always a position of distinction, Perugia in the 300's had already spread its dominions to a good slice of territory. The commune, nearly always in Guelfic hands, accepted protection, but not the Papal seigniory. A Notable fact, there was much talk over the vocation of independence and over a longing to escape the submission of the Roman Church. However, the Popes, sojourned many times at Perugia. To begin with Innocenzo IIIrd, who in 1198 initated a politic of "rècupèrations" is to say new annexations with the force of diplomacy or, as if it wasn't sufficient, with the force of the arms. Innocenzo IIIrd even died in the city, on a hot day in July 1216 and his richly dressed mortal remains, were exposed in the cathedral. But in the night some unknowns plundered the remains from all its richnesses almost to want to demonstrate that in the end a dead Pope is equivalent to any human being. Going forward, there were five the conclaves held in the city. And the so repeated episodes at close by distance simbolize the consideration which Rome must have for this Umbrian centre, even though spotted by a precedent not very edifying. In 1369, Urbano Vth went down in war with the city and naturally won it for the disproportion of the army in the battle field. Perugia was forced to accept the papal legates. But fire was smouldering in its ashes and the rebellion was in the air: broke out for the overbearingness of the Abbot of Cluny called Monmaggiore. The people took to the streets, furious, swept off every defence, the abbot took hurriedly his luggage and fled; the fortress which he had build near Porta Sole was razed to the ground. All this happened in 1375 and these had been years dense of passions, intestine battles, treasons, reconcilments, unsheathe daggers and smiles, marriages to tie families and prompt assaults left behind. At Perugia, terrible was the contention between the Raspanti and the Becherini, or between populars and nobles. Truce they had under Biordo Michelotti. But it didn't last long, because he was killed in 1398. Tumultuous events with the power which changes vortically hands: in 1400 it is in Gian Galeazzo Visconti's hands, three years later it passes to the Pope, then to Ladislao from Naples and successively to Braccio Fortebraccio, to Montone, man of arms, tremendous and fierce, mercenary leader like many Perugians and Umbrians. A valiant who knew how to govern with justice. On the ruled lines of time, the families which aspired to the absolute dominion came into play. In this case the war burst out between the Oddi and the Baglioni, with a series of brutal bloodsheds, atrocity, little periods of tranquillity which demonstrated only pauses among the zones of upsetting. The victory fell to the Baglioni, authentic lords of the Renascence (Rinascimento), them too overwhelmed by a frightful domestic vengeance, the one of the 14th July of 1500, when most of them were killed by a conspiracy put to sign by some relatives, among the victims the beautiful Grifonetto, successively immortalized by Raffaello in a most celebrated deposition ordered to the artist by the mother Atalanta. The supremacy of the Baglioni remained uncontested until 1531, with the death of Malatesta IVth, the Pope's troops of Paolo IIIrd took possession of the city. The origins of this very short war, was originated by a new tax on the salt, for this Salt war was called the one between the Perugians on one side and papal soldiery on the other. The conflict was short and the surrender unavoidable. The Pope let soon feel his heavy hands. The Paolina fortress rose, massive fortress which deranged the urban order and ruined for ever authentic artistical treasures, kept in the houses of the Baglionis. In 1798, a sharp change of address took place: when french troops occupied it and enters to be part of the so called Department of the Trasimeno. lt was in any case a short intervall, because fallen Napoleon, the city returns to be part of the Church States. In 1859, the Perugians drove out the Papal legates and established a provisional government. Pio IXth sent his troops which penetrate in the city notwithstanding the fierce resistence left themselves to bloody sackings. The year after is the one which signs the return to independence. Thus the Perugians unite to the rest of Italy. And on the 14th september 1860, the bersaglieri of Vittorio Emanuele llnd, enter in the city among the general exultancy. Places to visit:
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