History of Ancona part 1

This work is based on an interview done by our students with an expert on the subject.

Ancona's elbow-shaped peninsula

When was the city of Ancona founded?
Ancona was founded in 387 BC. by a group of Greeks from Syracuse, descendants of the Dori lineage, from whom Ancona took the name of "Doric city", which still distinguishes it today. They founded their city on the Guasco hill, on whose summit they erected a temple dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite (whose remains are visible today under the Cathedral of San Ciriaco).
Picture of S. Ciriaco cathedral

So "Ancona" comes from Greek?
The name "Ancona" derives from the Greek Ankón, meaning elbow. This was the city's name during its phase as a Greek city (between the 4th century BC and the 2nd century BC). The Greek founders decided to call the polis in this way because they realized that the coast formed a sort of "elbow", which would allow them to land and settle in that area.

Ancient coin representing the Greek Ankon (elbow)

Ancona and the Roman Empire
Upon the Romans' arrival in the Marche, Ancona went through a period of transition between the Greek and Roman civilizations. Ancona can be considered a Roman city since 90 BC, the establishment of the Roman municipality. The Romans considered it the access to Italy from the East and, therefore, the natural seat of trade with Dalmatia, Egypt, and Asia. The emperor Trajan fortified the city and enlarged the port at his expense. The Senate and the Roman people dedicated a monumental Arch to him a few meters from the sea.

Trajan's Arch

Ancona maritime republic
With the Holy Roman Empire institution, the city was placed at the head of the border district of Ancona, which included almost all of today's Marche region. From the year 1000, the city began a path towards independence, favored by the increase in trade. At the end of the 11th century, Ancona was now a free municipality and a maritime republic. Because of its acquired autonomy, Ancona thus clashes with the Holy Roman Empire, repeatedly trying to re-establish its power, and Venice, which competed with it for trade with the East.

Old harbour's map

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