Archeological evidence confirms that Volterra, ideally situated on a Pliocene ridge 541 metres
above sea level, between the Cecina and Era valleys , has been favoured as a settlement
since the Neothithic Age. From the 8th century B.C. the Etruscans began to spread out over
the slopes and in the 4th century B.C. the great defensive wall, more than seven
kilometres long, was erected to enclose the urban centre , arable and pasture land vital
for survival during a prolonged siege. Defended by its natural position and impregnable
fortifications, the Etruscan Velathri registered a remarkable development in its economy
based on the mineral deposits of copper and silver in an area rich in forests,agriculture
and husbandry. Velathri became one of the twelve city states of Etruria with a territory
that extended from the river Pesa to the Tyrrhenian sea and from the river Arno to the
basin of the Cornia river. The last of the Etruscan Lucomons was forced to recognise the
supremacy of Rome in the 3rd century B.C. after the battle of Lake Vadimone (283 B.C.) and
became part of the Italic Confederacy in 260 B.C. changing its name to Volaterrae.
Relations with Rome were good. The populace expressed their solidarity during the second
Punic War by supplying Consul Scipione with wheat and naval equipment and proved their
loyalty during the social war which granted them the right to Roman citizenship in 90 B.C.
with the Lex Julia de Civitate. A few years later, involved in the civil war between
Marius and Sulla, Volterra sided with Marius. After a long bitter siege that lasted for
two years (82-80 B.C.) Volterra had no choice but to surrender . The city was ferociously
sacked, deprived of its citizenship and its territory declared “ager publicus”.
Cicero, a close friend of the influential Caecinae family passionately defended the city
and the dictator’s sanctions were greatly reduced. Volterra continued to prosper in
the last years of the century evidence of which can be seen in the urban development
during this period which included the construction of the theatre and a vast residential
area in the neighbourhood of Vallebona. No important events have been recorded during the
decline of the Roman Empire.
Archeological evidence confirms that Volterra, ideally situated on a Pliocene ridge 541 metres
above sea level, between the Cecina and Era valleys , has been favoured as a settlement
since the Neothithic Age. From the 8th century B.C. the Etruscans began to spread out over
the slopes and in the 4th century B.C. the great defensive wall, more than seven
kilometres long, was erected to enclose the urban centre , arable and pasture land vital
for survival during a prolonged siege. Defended by its natural position and impregnable
fortifications, the Etruscan Velathri registered a remarkable development in its economy
based on the mineral deposits of copper and silver in an area rich in forests,agriculture
and husbandry. Velathri became one of the twelve city states of Etruria with a territory
that extended from the river Pesa to the Tyrrhenian sea and from the river Arno to the
basin of the Cornia river. The last of the Etruscan Lucomons was forced to recognise the
supremacy of Rome in the 3rd century B.C. after the battle of Lake Vadimone (283 B.C.) and
became part of the Italic Confederacy in 260 B.C. changing its name to Volaterrae.
Relations with Rome were good. The populace expressed their solidarity during the second
Punic War by supplying Consul Scipione with wheat and naval equipment and proved their
loyalty during the social war which granted them the right to Roman citizenship in 90 B.C.
with the Lex Julia de Civitate. A few years later, involved in the civil war between
Marius and Sulla, Volterra sided with Marius. After a long bitter siege that lasted for
two years (82-80 B.C.) Volterra had no choice but to surrender . The city was ferociously
sacked, deprived of its citizenship and its territory declared “ager publicus”.
Cicero, a close friend of the influential Caecinae family passionately defended the city
and the dictator’s sanctions were greatly reduced. Volterra continued to prosper in
the last years of the century evidence of which can be seen in the urban development
during this period which included the construction of the theatre and a vast residential
area in the neighbourhood of Vallebona. No important events have been recorded during the
decline of the Roman Empire.