Posted on 03/30/2006 9:34:39 AM PST by SunkenCiv
Archaeologists have unearthed evidence of a Roman presence long before the traditonal date of Roman settlement in 180 BCE - corroborating Roman historian Livy's account of the great Carthaginian general Hannibal passing through Lucca in 217 BCE... The discovery came after other finds last year which highlighted how Lucca thrived because of its strategic position on the main road that led towards Gaul. Among the treasures turned up were the remains of a well-preserved 2nd-century BC Roman house. Other digs have traced Lucca's beginnings under the Etruscans, a people who once ruled much of central Italy including Rome. Lucca's foundation by the Etruscans became official last March when experts found... a ceremonial goblet dating to the VI century BC... It has long been known that there were Etruscan settlements around the famous walled city but this was the first time an Etruscan object had been found at its heart.
(Excerpt) Read more at ansa.it ...
Besides San Marino (which I think opted to remain independent, and never joined the Italian union), there are some other towns in Italy which have declared renewed independence. No one takes it too seriously, including those who live there. :') Here's one:
http://www.seborga.org/
I recommend Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series. I believe it starts with "First Man in Rome." I've read all of them, seven as I recall, and enjoyed them very much.
Skip Pisa ... its a dump and (leveled in WWII, town looks like Brooklyn with its 1950's style track apartments). Goto Florence instead, most beautiful city I have ever seen.
Thanx, you 2, for the suggestions!
Thanks for the info. We're just taking a day in Pisa to de-jetlag; the logistics work well. See the tower and the basilica, yadda, yadda. I'll be in such a fog that it won't matter! I've been to Florence twice and agree with you, but I'd rather go in the spring or fall when you can actually see something besides the back of other tourists' heads.
Spring is the best time to go! Not too hot and everything is still green. Those things in Pisa are nice ... I found the grave area behind the basilica to be the most interesting.
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Just updating the GGG info, not sending a general distribution. |
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