(From notes written by Mario Gramegna)
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History of Molise
History of Molise
The region began to emerge from prehistory when some young people, expelled from Sabina to reduce population numbers, settled there, merging over the years with the aborigines. Thus, an autonomous and strong lineage, emulating Rome in struggles for dominance, was formed over the centuries, only subdued by Rome after a bloody and tenacious battle.
The term 'aborigines' refers to the primitive inhabitants of a country. In this case, they were the Samnites (from the Oscan word "Samnu," meaning "consecrated" to Mars, the god of war, and expelled from their homeland during the sacred spring, the first season of life).
Ancient Samnium encompassed a vast area from the Adriatic Sea (Ortona) to the Fortore River, Daunia (Puglia), Lucania, Campania, Lazio, and up to the borders with the Marsi, Peligni, and Marrucini (then inhabitants of present-day Abruzzo).
It comprised different lineages, with those of Oscan origin predominating, forming a confederation (Caraceni, Caudini, Irpini, Pentri, and Frentani) for mutual defense against neighboring populations' oppression, especially Rome. We will briefly focus on the Pentri and Frentani, the lineages of our distant ancestors.
The Pentri's capital was 'Bovianum,' possibly corresponding to present-day Bolano or another city near Pietrabbondante (a more likely hypothesis) or Duronia. Other significant cities of Pentrian origin included Isernia (Aesernia), Sepino (Saepinum), Trivento (Terventum), Aquilonia (?), S. Pietro Avellana (Volana), and perhaps Duronia.
On the other hand, the Frentani were the Samnites of the Adriatic coast, with notable centers for trade and military power in Termoli (Interamnia), Cliternia (between Portocannone and Campomarino), Larino (Larinum), Gerionum (in the territory of Casacalenda), and Kale, now Casacalenda.
How many were the Frentane and Pentrian cities? The mentioned ones have such an origin, according to scholars' unanimous opinion, but who can say or prove where Frentanum (near Limosano?), Velia, Celenina, Meronia, Barulo, Erdonia, Romulea, and the famous Comino stood?
Regardless, it is er, Rome avenged the defeat by plundering Bovianum Vetus, then Murgantia (Morcone), Romulea (?), and Trivento; other cities suffered the same fate. The Samnites did not surrender, led as always by the indomitable Gaius Pontius, who eventually fell into the hands of the Romans, forgetting that he had let the consuls, sent as expiation for the Caudine peace, go free and only remembering the humiliation of the Forks.
The Samnite hero, initially offered as a target for the ridicule of fanatical plebeians, was beheaded in the circus. Seventy years passed before Samnium was finally subdued! The cities of Samnium, once flourishing in trade, distinguished in letters and arms, were now a heap of ruins. Survivors of the struggle sought refuge in the countryside and forests, wandering and miserable like the Sabine ancestors.
Curiosities: Before gladiatorial spectacles took place in Roman amphitheaters, they occurred in Samnite amphitheaters (those of Boiano and Larino were famous!). In fact, these were built over 350 years before the Colosseum.
However, the Samnites did not give up because other events awaited them, with the Sannites as protagonists, proud and indomitable. We are now reaching the end: in 89 B.C., the Italica League was formed in Marsica, with the Samnites joining.
However, with skillful diplomatic maneuvers, the Roman Senate enacted a law extending citizenship rights to allied Italian nations; many nations withdrew their soldiers from the league's army. Only the Samnites, Marsi, and Lucani remained.
Sulla, who became consul in 87 B.C. after a remarkable career, confronted the federal army in Samnium, commanded by two brave captains, Lamponius and Pontius. Although the beginning of the battle hinted at the victory of the Italic league's army, Sulla prevailed and ordered the killing of six thousand federates, mostly Samnites.
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Samnium became a Roman province
Samnium became a Roman province
It is said that the lamentations of so many unfortunate ones caught the attention of the senators gathered in assembly, and Sulla urged them not to be distracted from their work, as they were dealing with punished rebels!
Thus, Samnium, finally subdued, became a Roman province after a resistance of over two and a half centuries. Subsequently, the region's historical events intertwined with Roman civilization and its developments, as thousands of Roman settlers came to ancient Samnium, bringing with them customs, traditions, and ways of life.certain that Samnium soon became a rival to Rome because the Samnites, both colonizers and eager for dominion, envied Roman power. The Romans, in turn, rough and warlike, couldn't bear the thought of the more civilized and advanced Samnites challenging their imperialistic ambitions one day.
In 340 B.C., the conflict finally erupted: the Samnites launched a military expedition against Teano, seeking help from Capua, which, in turn, appealed to Rome. The future 'capital of the world' reluctantly intervened, ostensibly aiming to diplomatically resolve the conflict. However, the Samnites responded with an immediate resumption of military operations. For the Samnites, Capua represented the conquest of the Tyrrhenian coast, while for the Romans, it meant avoiding the Samnite blockade and making the first significant stride toward Southern Italy.
The more determined and militarily stronger Romans occupied Capua and compelled the Samnites to desist. The Samnites yielded, hoping for revenge (after ten years!), spurred on by a noble and powerful man, Brutulus Papio. However, fate was not in favor of the Samnites this time either, forced into another humiliating defeat, with Brutulus Papio being blamed.
Yet, the Samnites were preparing for the event that would end in the ignominy (for the Romans) of the Caudine Forks. At that time, the supreme commander was Gaius Pontius, son of Herennius, who, using a clever stratagem, spread the rumor of besieging Lucera.
Instead, in the Arpaia Valley, two Roman legions, numbering over ten thousand men, lay in ambush; Pontius surrounded them and could have massacred them all. However, in a sense, he was generous; he spared the Romans' lives, making them pass under the yoke at the valley's entrance, hunched over and on their way back. Could Gaius Pontius have devised a greater ignominy against the proud Romans?
A few years later "The barbarian invasions then brought disastrous consequences, sparing our lands no incursions, pillaging, robberies, and killings. Only during the Lombard period was the region incorporated into the Duchy of Benevento, and according to some scholars, it even formed part of the Duchy of Spoleto.
However, Molise began to take shape more and more in its entity when, in 667 AD, the courageous Slavic leader ALCZECO, to provide a stable settlement for his people, sought hospitality from Grimoaldo, the king of the Lombards, and then from Grimoaldo's son, Romoaldo, Duke of Benevento. From them, he received the territory from Sepino, including Boiano, to Isernia, assuming the title of 'castaldo,' or administrator.
This was indeed the first nucleus of a feudal unit, which later, under the Normans, would be named the County of MOLISE. The Norman conquest left the deepest traces in Molise's history!
In 1059, after capturing Ielsi and Guglionesi, Goffredo, brother of Robert Guiscard, occupied the entire area between the two towns. In this historical period, the two major feudal units were formed: the County of Molise and the county of Loretello (corresponding to the territory of Rotello). In contemporary documents, we find the titles of Count of Molise, Boiano, or Isernia used interchangeably.
But why was the County called Molise? Some argue that the name derived from the Molisio family or de Molinis or even Marchisio. Others, like the historian Giannone, believe that the name comes from Molise, an ancient city in Samnium (?), from which the extinct Molisio family took its name. There are still other theories, all more or less acceptable, but it is certain that the Molisio family, as Count of Boiano, was powerful and greatly feared.
This family, with its complex and fascinating history that has captivated many scholars, became extinct in 1326 with Guglielmo di Molisio, who died without male heirs. Under the dominion of the Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese, and Bourbons, Molise's history did not deviate from the general history of the Kingdom of Naples, as its belonging to the Terra di Lavoro was confirmed until 1550 when, for the private interests of Prince do Riccia, Luigi Martino di Capua Altavilla, the County of Molise was annexed to Capitanata (modern-day Puglia).
At this point, to clarify and shed light on the reasons for Molise's subsequent separation from Abruzzo, it is necessary to observe that until 1806, for about eight centuries, the County of Molise had no connection, no commonality with neighboring Abruzzo.
Indeed, on September 27, 1806, the King of Naples, Giuseppe Napoleone, by his own decree, established the detachment of the County of Molise from Capitanata. On that occasion, the strong influence on the king's will was exerted by two prominent Molise figures, Vincenzo Cuoco from Civitacampomarano and Giuseppe Zurlo from Baranello.
Since then, Molise has undergone further surface adjustments, having to, for example, cede 15 municipalities in the upper Fortore Valley in 1861 to form the province of Benevento, losing, albeit with the compensation of 12 municipalities in the Volturno area, over 28 thousand inhabitants.
With the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, it was aggregated to Abruzzo, with which, in truth, the coexistence of a hundred years has strengthened bonds of friendship that honor the populations of the two regions, sincere and cordial, good and kind, worthy in every way of being held in the highest regard. With Article 1 of Constitutional Law Number. 3 of December 27, 1963, the constitutional text was modified, providing for the separation of the territories of Abruzzo and Molise into two distinct regions, granting complete administrative autonomy to Molise."
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History of Molise
History of Molise
The region began to emerge from prehistory when some young people, expelled from Sabina to reduce population numbers, settled there, merging over the years with the aborigines. Thus, an autonomous and strong lineage, emulating Rome in struggles for dominance, was formed over the centuries, only subdued by Rome after a bloody and tenacious battle.
The term 'aborigines' refers to the primitive inhabitants of a country. In this case, they were the Samnites (from the Oscan word "Samnu," meaning "consecrated" to Mars, the god of war, and expelled from their homeland during the sacred spring, the first season of life).
Ancient Samnium encompassed a vast area from the Adriatic Sea (Ortona) to the Fortore River, Daunia (Puglia), Lucania, Campania, Lazio, and up to the borders with the Marsi, Peligni, and Marrucini (then inhabitants of present-day Abruzzo).
It comprised different lineages, with those of Oscan origin predominating, forming a confederation (Caraceni, Caudini, Irpini, Pentri, and Frentani) for mutual defense against neighboring populations' oppression, especially Rome. We will briefly focus on the Pentri and Frentani, the lineages of our distant ancestors.
The Pentri's capital was 'Bovianum,' possibly corresponding to present-day Bolano or another city near Pietrabbondante (a more likely hypothesis) or Duronia. Other significant cities of Pentrian origin included Isernia (Aesernia), Sepino (Saepinum), Trivento (Terventum), Aquilonia (?), S. Pietro Avellana (Volana), and perhaps Duronia.
On the other hand, the Frentani were the Samnites of the Adriatic coast, with notable centers for trade and military power in Termoli (Interamnia), Cliternia (between Portocannone and Campomarino), Larino (Larinum), Gerionum (in the territory of Casacalenda), and Kale, now Casacalenda.
How many were the Frentane and Pentrian cities? The mentioned ones have such an origin, according to scholars' unanimous opinion, but who can say or prove where Frentanum (near Limosano?), Velia, Celenina, Meronia, Barulo, Erdonia, Romulea, and the famous Comino stood?
Regardless, it is er, Rome avenged the defeat by plundering Bovianum Vetus, then Murgantia (Morcone), Romulea (?), and Trivento; other cities suffered the same fate. The Samnites did not surrender, led as always by the indomitable Gaius Pontius, who eventually fell into the hands of the Romans, forgetting that he had let the consuls, sent as expiation for the Caudine peace, go free and only remembering the humiliation of the Forks.
The Samnite hero, initially offered as a target for the ridicule of fanatical plebeians, was beheaded in the circus. Seventy years passed before Samnium was finally subdued! The cities of Samnium, once flourishing in trade, distinguished in letters and arms, were now a heap of ruins. Survivors of the struggle sought refuge in the countryside and forests, wandering and miserable like the Sabine ancestors.
Curiosities: Before gladiatorial spectacles took place in Roman amphitheaters, they occurred in Samnite amphitheaters (those of Boiano and Larino were famous!). In fact, these were built over 350 years before the Colosseum.
However, the Samnites did not give up because other events awaited them, with the Sannites as protagonists, proud and indomitable. We are now reaching the end: in 89 B.C., the Italica League was formed in Marsica, with the Samnites joining.
However, with skillful diplomatic maneuvers, the Roman Senate enacted a law extending citizenship rights to allied Italian nations; many nations withdrew their soldiers from the league's army. Only the Samnites, Marsi, and Lucani remained.
Sulla, who became consul in 87 B.C. after a remarkable career, confronted the federal army in Samnium, commanded by two brave captains, Lamponius and Pontius. Although the beginning of the battle hinted at the victory of the Italic league's army, Sulla prevailed and ordered the killing of six thousand federates, mostly Samnites.
Per ascoltare cliccare sul pulsante ►
Samnium became a Roman province
Samnium became a Roman province
It is said that the lamentations of so many unfortunate ones caught the attention of the senators gathered in assembly, and Sulla urged them not to be distracted from their work, as they were dealing with punished rebels!
Thus, Samnium, finally subdued, became a Roman province after a resistance of over two and a half centuries. Subsequently, the region's historical events intertwined with Roman civilization and its developments, as thousands of Roman settlers came to ancient Samnium, bringing with them customs, traditions, and ways of life.certain that Samnium soon became a rival to Rome because the Samnites, both colonizers and eager for dominion, envied Roman power. The Romans, in turn, rough and warlike, couldn't bear the thought of the more civilized and advanced Samnites challenging their imperialistic ambitions one day.
In 340 B.C., the conflict finally erupted: the Samnites launched a military expedition against Teano, seeking help from Capua, which, in turn, appealed to Rome. The future 'capital of the world' reluctantly intervened, ostensibly aiming to diplomatically resolve the conflict. However, the Samnites responded with an immediate resumption of military operations. For the Samnites, Capua represented the conquest of the Tyrrhenian coast, while for the Romans, it meant avoiding the Samnite blockade and making the first significant stride toward Southern Italy.
The more determined and militarily stronger Romans occupied Capua and compelled the Samnites to desist. The Samnites yielded, hoping for revenge (after ten years!), spurred on by a noble and powerful man, Brutulus Papio. However, fate was not in favor of the Samnites this time either, forced into another humiliating defeat, with Brutulus Papio being blamed.
Yet, the Samnites were preparing for the event that would end in the ignominy (for the Romans) of the Caudine Forks. At that time, the supreme commander was Gaius Pontius, son of Herennius, who, using a clever stratagem, spread the rumor of besieging Lucera.
Instead, in the Arpaia Valley, two Roman legions, numbering over ten thousand men, lay in ambush; Pontius surrounded them and could have massacred them all. However, in a sense, he was generous; he spared the Romans' lives, making them pass under the yoke at the valley's entrance, hunched over and on their way back. Could Gaius Pontius have devised a greater ignominy against the proud Romans?
A few years later "The barbarian invasions then brought disastrous consequences, sparing our lands no incursions, pillaging, robberies, and killings. Only during the Lombard period was the region incorporated into the Duchy of Benevento, and according to some scholars, it even formed part of the Duchy of Spoleto.
However, Molise began to take shape more and more in its entity when, in 667 AD, the courageous Slavic leader ALCZECO, to provide a stable settlement for his people, sought hospitality from Grimoaldo, the king of the Lombards, and then from Grimoaldo's son, Romoaldo, Duke of Benevento. From them, he received the territory from Sepino, including Boiano, to Isernia, assuming the title of 'castaldo,' or administrator.
This was indeed the first nucleus of a feudal unit, which later, under the Normans, would be named the County of MOLISE. The Norman conquest left the deepest traces in Molise's history!
In 1059, after capturing Ielsi and Guglionesi, Goffredo, brother of Robert Guiscard, occupied the entire area between the two towns. In this historical period, the two major feudal units were formed: the County of Molise and the county of Loretello (corresponding to the territory of Rotello). In contemporary documents, we find the titles of Count of Molise, Boiano, or Isernia used interchangeably.
But why was the County called Molise? Some argue that the name derived from the Molisio family or de Molinis or even Marchisio. Others, like the historian Giannone, believe that the name comes from Molise, an ancient city in Samnium (?), from which the extinct Molisio family took its name. There are still other theories, all more or less acceptable, but it is certain that the Molisio family, as Count of Boiano, was powerful and greatly feared.
This family, with its complex and fascinating history that has captivated many scholars, became extinct in 1326 with Guglielmo di Molisio, who died without male heirs. Under the dominion of the Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese, and Bourbons, Molise's history did not deviate from the general history of the Kingdom of Naples, as its belonging to the Terra di Lavoro was confirmed until 1550 when, for the private interests of Prince do Riccia, Luigi Martino di Capua Altavilla, the County of Molise was annexed to Capitanata (modern-day Puglia).
At this point, to clarify and shed light on the reasons for Molise's subsequent separation from Abruzzo, it is necessary to observe that until 1806, for about eight centuries, the County of Molise had no connection, no commonality with neighboring Abruzzo.
Indeed, on September 27, 1806, the King of Naples, Giuseppe Napoleone, by his own decree, established the detachment of the County of Molise from Capitanata. On that occasion, the strong influence on the king's will was exerted by two prominent Molise figures, Vincenzo Cuoco from Civitacampomarano and Giuseppe Zurlo from Baranello.
Since then, Molise has undergone further surface adjustments, having to, for example, cede 15 municipalities in the upper Fortore Valley in 1861 to form the province of Benevento, losing, albeit with the compensation of 12 municipalities in the Volturno area, over 28 thousand inhabitants.
With the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, it was aggregated to Abruzzo, with which, in truth, the coexistence of a hundred years has strengthened bonds of friendship that honor the populations of the two regions, sincere and cordial, good and kind, worthy in every way of being held in the highest regard. With Article 1 of Constitutional Law Number. 3 of December 27, 1963, the constitutional text was modified, providing for the separation of the territories of Abruzzo and Molise into two distinct regions, granting complete administrative autonomy to Molise."