Roman origins and ageThe urban agglomeration of Cremonium (Cremona) has Celtic origins but its foundation was the case with Roman hands after the war between Rome and the Gauls in 218 BC and together with the sister colony of Placentia (Piacenza).The city, says Tacitus in his Histories, served as a bulwark against the Gauls, who were pressing beyond the Po and against all populations from the Alps The city was built on a hill located on a bend of the Po plain This choice was dictated by military reasons, playing the role of "barrier" and gateway to the territories south of the River.The city, its origins, occupied an area of 25 hectares and home to 6,000 inhabitants. In the year 89 BC the city was erected in "Municipium" and its expansion made it an urban center of the first level, with major roads: Via Postojna, with a first section joined to Aquileia Cremona and a second was built later, Cremona joined in Genoa . The more lines that led to Bergamo and Brescia, helped transform the city into an important center of communications by land and sea, thanks to the navigability of the river PoWith the death of Caesar, and the subsequent political events, the city of Cremona was raped. In 40 BC suffered a seizure of lands that passed from the ownership of the old settlers, schieratisi with Brutus and the senatorial class, the "friends" of Augustus.
Augustan AgeIn the Augustan Age, the city expanded and its importance grew even further: the choice of Virgil as a city with which to finish his studies youth, born in Cremona also prominent personalities of the time, as the poet Bibaculo Furio, and the writer Quintilio Launched Alfena Launching the jurist.In 69 A. D. the territory of Cremona was the scene of war between Vitellius and Otho, both acclaimed by the respective emperors legions. Vitellius defeated Otho but a later war broke out between Titus Flavius Vitellius, and see the defeat of the latter. There followed a long siege by the troops Flaviani, the city was occupied and put to fire and sword.Unfortunately Cremona began to lose importance because of the continuing conflict. It remains, however, one of the most beautiful and rich.
Christianity from the Middle AgesWith the participation of the Bishop of Cremona, in 451, the famous Synod of Milan, began the spread of Christianity in the city.The city is easily reached from the river and the Alps, saw the passage of barbarian chieftains until 553, when it was incorporated nell'Esarcato Byzantine Ravenna, the city expanded to the north-west, with the creation of a large entrenched camp .Meanwhile, the landscape changed, with the Po, which had moved further south, away from Cremona, while a minor branch of the Adda reached the city limits.In 603, after a time defending thirty-four, the city was conquered and destroyed by Agilulf: the territory was divided between Brescia and Bergamo.In the eighth century, under the guidance of Liutprand, the city was flourishing, returning once again to enjoy its historic wealth.
The two citiesAt that time, Cremona was composed of two cities: the Cremona "below muras" governed by the Bishop and the "extra muras", developed in the Byzantine fortified camp. In the Carolingian period the commercial port, who resided in the extra muras, gave a significant contribution to economic prosperity. Cremona received the award of numerous imperial privileges in ninth and tenth centuries, which led to further growth.
The CityCremona in 1093, already a free commune, had acceded to a treaty of protection signed by the Countess Matilda of Canossa and the cities of Piacenza, Lodi and Milan.Five years later, in 1098, Cremona was given possession of the island Fulcher: Cream and area that includes nearby towns. This constituted a new urban development. Also in 1098 the city was equipped with the complex of the Piazza del Comune, the testimony of civil and religious ideals of the time.When Cream rebelled and won the support of Milan, due to the policy of the City of Cremona, the city proved to be the most powerful of the municipalities Lombardi: Cremona managed to contain the expansion of Milan. In 1154 the city obtained the right to coin money.Beside Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, known as Barbarossa, during the sieges of 1160 and the cream of Milan in 1162. The relationship was interrupted in 1167 with the accession to the Lombard League. With the Peace of Constance, signed in 1183, returned to Cremona loyal to the Emperor again, continuing the struggle with the hated London. On 11 May 1213, at Castelleone, the Cremonese reported a new and overwhelming victory over the Milanese.In the thirteenth century the city reached an urban population amounted to 80,000 persons (in 2003 approx 60,000). This increase was maintained until about 1400. During the first half of 1200 Cremona was loyal to Frederick II, who stayed there several times. After the death of Frederick II, the city entered a period of internal wars to go to Lordship. Cremona was unable to cope with the demands of a transformation from a free city in Lordship.Short and weak Lordships were followed under the guidance of Hubert Pallavicini (1250), by Dovara Buoso (1254), William and James Cavalcabò (1307 and 1315). This weakness led the city to enter political and economic orbit of Milan. In 1334, the act of submission, Cremona was under the guidance of Azzone Visconti. The aggregation to the Visconti Signoria became the port of Cremona, from business structure to a naval base and military.
The sales and growthIn 1420 Cremona was sold to Philip Maria Visconti for 40,000 gold florins. The Visconti domination proved very profitable: in 1441, the church of S. Sigismondo, Bianca Maria Visconti and Francesco Sforza, were married. The love of Bianca Maria Cremona secured a long fifty years of further prosperity and growth for the city center.
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