The Foundation: Florence was born in Roman Republican times when the conqueror Sulla went to Tuscany in order to build new Roman colonies. The year was the 82 BC and in that period Rome was fighting Fiesole, a small village on the hills near Florence. The name Florence, in Italian “ Firenze “, came from the God “Flora”, the flowers’ Ancient Romans God. They used to remember “Flora” God in spring, and the new colonies were usually built up in that Season, so the city was named Florence.The first Roman village was built near the Arno river, approximately in the same place of the historical centre of the actual city. The first old village was very small, 300 x 400 meters, and was given to a lot of veterans. They had also a lot of terrains in the countries near the village and began working hard on them. In a few years the village began to become important for commerce and cultivation so that Rome decided to expand and to fortify Florence. During time of Emperor Hadrian the first bridge of Florence was built a lot of meters far from the actual Old Bridge. It was a wood bridge. During the second century AD, Florence was a shining Roman style city, water-supplied, with a lot of temples and theaters.

The Barbarian Age: During the first centuries of the I Millennium Italy was invaded by a lot of Barbarian tribes coming from North Europe. Those rough and dirty populations came to Italy in order to steal food and goods in beautiful Italian cities. Also Florence was attacked by the Ostrogoth tribe, but during 405 AD the barbarian tribe lost the war and Florence was still free, but just for a few years. In facts during the second Gothic war Florence was conquered by Totila and after him Longobards dominated the city. During the reign of the Longobards the “Tuscia” (Tuscany) region was controlled by Dukes that gave importance also to the others Tuscany towns as Lucca and Pisa. The Longobards controlled Florence until 770 AD.

Monuments of this period :

Roman temples: The Ancient Roman Forum and Temples are buried under the newest city buildings.

120 AD : The first wood bridge was built up across the river Arno.

488 AD: San Giovanni Battista Cathedral was built.

The Roman Empire

Roman Emperor Augustus

Historical Tip:

Where the name “Florence” come from ?

There is an old Legend about the name “Florence” given to the city by the Ancient Romans. During the period of the foundation of Florence, Rome was fighting against the city of Fiesole, a well fortified village on the hills near Florence. Many times the Roman warriors tried to conquest Fiesole but without success. After six years they decided to come back in Rome. Only one courageous warrior named Fiorino and a few of Roman warriors decided to remain going up with the war. They built a village near the Arno river and settled there in order to rest after the battles against Fiesole. A night they were surprised by Fiesole’ s warriors and were killed. Roman people organized a ceremony in honour of Fiorino and those killed by Fiesole. After a few years Rome conquered Fiesole and the small village created by Fiorino was called “Florence” in order to remind Fiorino sacrifice.


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Florence foundation and the barbarian age

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