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The town lies in a wonderful position at 493 m. above sea level dominating the Tevere valley on a range of hills in the heart of Umbria. An ancient Umbrian and later Etruscan center, Perugia became Roman after the battle of Sentinum in 295 B.C., which marked the end of independence for the peoples of Central Italy. At the fall of the Roman Empire, Perugia was invaded by the Goths. Due to the central position in the peninsula, the territory was a strategic point during the greek-gothic war, Totila destroyed Spoleto and conquered Assisi in 545, and in 548 besieged Perugia. Totila was finally defeated in 552 (battle of Tagina). During the VI century the Lombards and Byzantines fought for possession of the city, the latter finally winning the struggle. In 1130 Perugia becomes a commune, with a body of ten consuls, in 1177 Ranieri, ruler of the city participates to the peace of Venezia. During the rule of Enrico VI the city grew in power, expanding his control over the neighboring cities: Citt� di Castello is conquered in 1180, Gubbio in 1184, Citt� della Pieve in 1188, Assisi in 1194. In 1198 the city joins the political interests of Innocenzo III, who died here in 1216. In 1393 the city exit the sphere of influence of the papacy to be ruled by the condottiere Biordo Michelotti. |