Ravenna

One will be surprised to know that not much attention was paid to Ravenna, its origin is even unknown. It was speculated that it Ravenna came from the word “Rasenna”, which Etruscans used to call themselves as well. Etruscan is the one of the early civilizations of ancient Italy covering certain territories, we now know as Tuscany, western Umbria, northern Lazio, parts of Po Valley, southeastern Lombardy, southern Veneto and Campania.

The people of Ravenna may have been dated back from Villanovan period, this is somewhere between 9 th -8 th century BC. Society during this period were warrior-farmers living in small hut-villages, their control of mines of metal ores and their expertise in metals are pillars of this era.

Ravenna became accepted as part of the Republic in 89 BC., and gained historical importance as a city in 49 BC, from which Caesar went on to Cross the Rubicon in the drive for power that would ultimately make him dictator for life. It was Caesar’s great-nephew Octavian, Emperor Augustus Caesar from 27 BC-14 BC, who realized the significance of Ravenna to Roman control of the Adriatic Sea. He built a Roman fleet military harbor at nearby Classe, as patrol against pirates. Pirates during that time had become a major threat to Roman commerce in the Adriatic and the eastern Mediterranean seas.

Ravenna became the Roman gateway to Asia during the time in which Rome had conflict with Persia in the East. Rome at that time was ruled by Emperor Trajan (98–117 BC) built water channels to ensure freshwater supply for this strategic city.

In 402 BC, Western Italy Emperor Honorius moved the imperial capital was from Rome to Milan to because it was easily defended from its location on the lagoon. This decision was proved Honorius wisdom, as in 409 BC, King Alaric of the Visgoths marched to invade Rome but just passed by Ravenna.

The Roman Empire however was brought to its feet in 476 by the Odovacar of Heruli tribe, a German warlord. Eastern Italy Emperor Zeno, recognized the power that Odovacar holds. Italy was conquered by Theodoric – Odovacar’s nephew. Theodoric successfully carved out his own kingdom, with Ravenna at its center.
Italy was reclaimed including Ravenna in 535 by Eastern Italy Emperor then, Justinian I. Ravenna became the center of the restored Roman Empire in northern Italy, given its strategic location for military purposes and defense. The last known conquerors of Ravenna were the Lombards in 750. As of 2020, Ravenna city’s population is approximately 390,000.

Today, Ravenna is known as the capital of the Province of Ravenna, which is in Northern Italy. However, during the ancient times, particularly from 402 up to 476, Ravenna was chosen as the capital of the Western Roman Empire. Afterward, it became the capital of the Ostrogothic Kingdom. However, in 540, Ravenna was re-conquered by the Byzantine Empire. The Candiano Canal connects Ravenna to the Adriatic Sea. This city is popularly known for their ancient Roman and Byzantine architecture which are greatly preserved.

Ancient Period

• It is still uncertain what the origins of Ravenna are. But based on the oldest archaeological evidence, there was an Umbri presence from the 5th century BC until the 3rd century BC. when the Roman civilization started. The houses in Ravenna are constructed on piles in the small islands of a lagoon.
• Ravenna is the place where Julius Caesar assembled his forces in 49 BC before he moved to the Rubicon. Later, the military harbor of Classis, which was a significant station of the Roman Imperial Fleet, was discovered by Octavian.
• When Ravenna was ruled by the Romans, it became quite prosperous. At the start of the 2nd century, a 70 km long aqueduct was created by Emperor Trajan. In AD 402, the capital of the Western Roman Empire was changed by Emperor Honorius from Milan to Ravenna.
• Ravenna experienced a period of peace upon the return of Galla Placidia. During this time, the Christian religion was preferred, and the city has acquired some of the most popular monuments such as San Giovanni Evangelista, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, and the Orthodox Baptistry.
• In the 5th century, Roman rule in the west disintegrated. Odoacer became the king of Italy and he ruled for 13 years. But in 489, he lost in the Battle of Verona and retreated to Ravenna. In 493, Ravenna was taken by Theodoric and was proclaimed as the capital of the Ostrogothic Kingdom of Italy. During this time, several magnificent buildings were constructed such as the Sant’Apollinare Nuovo and Theodoric’s own Mausoleum.
• Ravenna’s bishops built several churches from 540 to 600. Among the surviving monuments in Ravenna were the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe, the Basilica of San Vitale, and the San Michele in Africisco. In the 6th century, Ravenna was chosen as the seat of the Byzantine governor of Italy and was recognized as the Exarchate of Ravenna.

Middle Ages and The Modern Age

• In 712, Ravenna was conquered by the Lombards, however, it was regained back by the Byzantines. But the Lombard king, Aistulf, successfully conquered it again in 751, which marked the end of the Byzantine rule.
• When King Pepin of the Franks fought against the Lombards, Ravenna was taken by the 1Popes. From 1218 to 1240, the city was ruled by the Traversari family. In 1248, Ravenna was regained by the Papal States. But the Traversari took it again and ruled until 1275. During this time, one of the most artistic individuals of Ravenna was the famous poet Dante who has been exiled.
• Venice ruled Ravenna until 1509. During the Renaissance, Ravenna was recognized as the birthplace of the Monster of Ravenna. In May 1636, the city was destroyed by a large flood. However, during the succeeding 300 years, the possibility of flooding has been reduced through the series of canals.
• Ravenna became a part of the Papal States until 1796. In 1859, the Piedmontese troops occupied the city. In 1861, Ravenna as well as the Romagna area were managed by the new unified Kingdom of Italy.