The very ancient land known as Basilicata
was already inhabited in the prehistoric age. The settlements of Venosa and the
Bradano Valley date from the Paleolithic period while the
organized agricultural villages around Matera and Melfi sprang up during the Neolithic period. From that time until the Bronze Age the region became an important center of communication between the Jonian and
Tyrrhenian populations, giving rise to important settlements. The inland regions
began to be populated during the Iron Age. It was during this
phase that many Indo-Europeans arrived in Lucania, among whom the Liky from the
Illyrian coast.
In the 8th century B.C. Greek colonies landed on the Lucanian shores of the Jonian Sea. This historic
event gave birth to that flowering civilization that will be remembered in
history as the Magna Graecia. Metaponto, Siris and Heraclea are the most
important settlements. Between the 6th century and the 5th century B.C. certain Osco-Sabellic tribes came down from the
Irpinia, while the Lucanians settled the more inland regions. Later, in the 5th and 4th centuries B.C., the Lucanians
attacked the Greek colonies along the Jonian coast in their quest for new land
to cultivate. Meanwhile, between the 4th century and 3rd century B.C., the Romans pushed their way into Lucania as they
continued their expansion. At first the Lucanians were allied with the Romans
against the Samnites.
Later, not wanting to yield to Roman
domination, they allied themselves with the Samnites and the Greek colony in
Taranto to combat the Romans. Meanwhile, in 291 B.C., Venusia
(today Venosa) becomes the first Roman colony in Lucanian territory. The Romans
fight against Pyrrhus who was rushing to the aid of the Greek colonies, and
loose a battle that took place between the areas of Metaponto and Heraclea
(today Policoro), which became famous for the heavy losses incurred on both
sides. In the northeast, Roman domination increases: the town of Grumentum
(today Grumento) is founded and the road that connects Grumentum to Venusia is
constructed (Via Herculia). 280 B.C. witnesses the end of Magna Graecia.
In the 2nd century B.C. Lucania is under Roman domination. The proud and warlike Lucanians rebel against
Rome, which had decided to impose landed estates, but are defeated. From 27 B.C. to 14 B.C., under the Augustan Empire, Lucania
is divided into two parts and unified with Apulia, the Regio II, and with
Brutium, the Regio III. At the end of the 3rd century Dioclesian reunites the area, unifying it with Brutium. With the decline of the
Western Roman Empire the region sinks back into deep isolation, which destroys
the already impoverished economy. We are in the Middle Ages.
Between the 6th century and the 9th century,
the Longobards annex Lucania (with the exception of the Byzantine possessions in
the region of Matera) to the Duchy of Benevento.
The Byzantines, gathered in Lucania in their
effort to escape religious persecution in the Orient, give life to the
phenomenon of the Rupestrian (rock) Churches. They proliferate on the Murgia of
Matera. Meanwhile, the Saracen invasions force the Lucanians to retreat to the
surrounding mountains and hills. Between the 8th century and
the 9th century, Matera is annexed to the Duchy of Benevento,
while the rest of the region passes under Byzantine domination. In the 11th century and 12th century the Normans conquer
Lucania, making it the center of Italian political life. In 1059,
Melfi is the capital of the Norman realm. When Norman domination ends, the
Swabians and Angevins compete for control of Lucania and southern Italy.
Frederick II of Swabia is born.
In 1231, in Melfi, he
enacts the Constitutiones Utriusque Regni Sicilae (the Constitutions of the Two
Sicilies). At the end of the 13th century the Angevins control
the Realm of Naples and the Two Sicilies. Feudalism has begun,
during which time many Lucanian lordships spring up and which the Aragonese
attempt to oppose. The Barons, faithful to the Angevins, try to overthrow the
Aragonese Reign and the 'Congiura dei baroni' (baron conspiracy) is planned in
the Miglionican Castle in 1441. Between the 13th
century and the 16th century Bourbon power
consolidates. Certain Albanian communities arrive in Basilicata, settling along
the slopes of Vulture and the Pollino Massif.
In 1663, Matera is the capital of the Lucanian Province of the
Kingdom of Naples. This period witnesses the beginning of bloody rebellions by
peasants against the barons who exploit the land, forcing the population into
famine. In 1707, the Austro-Sabaudian army occupies Lucania,
and after the Treaties of Utrecht and Rastadt it passes into the hands of
Charles VI of Austria. The Bourbons return to power with the Peace Treaty of
Aquisgrana. In 1799 a peasant rebellion is repressed with mass
executions. Then power passes briefly to the French, who after a short time are
forced to return it again to the Bourbons. A part of the Lucanian bourgeoisie
adheres to the 'Moti carbonari' (Carbonari uprisings). Between 1861 and 1868 the entire region is affected by the phenomenon of
Brigantaggio (banditry), rebellions against power generated by the extreme
isolation of the population and which finds its ideal habitat in the thick woods
of Mount Vulture.
The beginning of the 20th century,
in 1902, sees the first meeting of Socialists in Potenza.
Poverty has reached unacceptable levels and the phenomenon of emigration begins,
reaching its high point in 1913. In 1943,
Matera is the first southern Italian province to rebel against Nazi-Fascist
occupation. When World War II ends, it becomes necessary to tackle the problem
of the 'Sassi of Matera' (ancient rock dwellings) which, because of
overpopulation, had become a health risk. In 1952, a state law
decrees the evacuation of the Sassi district. During the same period 'Riforma
Fondiaria' (land reform) begins and transforms the face of the region.
Unfortunately, emigration damages the communities of Basilicata since it
provokes a progressive demographic impoverishment. The 1980 earthquake in Irpinia creates serious problems in the entire northern region and
in the capital Potenza.
The University of Basilicata is established
in Potenza in 1984, which a few years later opens a campus in
Matera. In 1986, the Italian government enacts a law to finance
the restoration of the Sassi of Matera, which is still being carried out among a
multitude of problems. At the beginning of 1994, UNESCO
declares the Sassi of Matera 'heritage of humanity to be handed down to future
generations' and counts it among the territories under its protection. FIAT
establishes an enormous factory in the industrial zone of S. Nicola of Melfi. In
the same year the National Park of Pollino is established.
Text courtesy of the Basilicata Official Tourist Board
