Assisi is so peaceful. However, it hasn't always been that way. After the Romans replaced the Etruscans, who replaced the Umbrians, centuries of wars followed. San Rufino, who brought Christianity in the third century, was martyred by drowning. Barbarian invasions followed, and enventually Charlemagne's armies took over. In 1160 Frederick Barbarossa put Assisi under his jurisdiction. Additional changes of authority led to the establishment of the Commune of Assisi, which soon was waging an unsuccessful war against the neighboring city of Perugia (Francis, a participant, ended up in jail for about a year). When not fighting invaders, the nobility and the working class of Assisi took to fighting each other. At one point, the people of the "upper part of town" battled those of the "lower part of town." The centuries of sackings included a 1503 invasion by the troops of Cesare Borgia. In the early 1800's came the troops of Napoleon, but I'll stop here, as it would take volumes to cover all of the conflicts. One can only hope that all places where war is now being waged eventually become as peaceful as Assisi.
Friday, April 2, 2010
A Peaceful Place
Hope to write more about food in the weeks ahead but, for now, I'm sure some of you will appreciate the following:
Assisi is so peaceful. However, it hasn't always been that way. After the Romans replaced the Etruscans, who replaced the Umbrians, centuries of wars followed. San Rufino, who brought Christianity in the third century, was martyred by drowning. Barbarian invasions followed, and enventually Charlemagne's armies took over. In 1160 Frederick Barbarossa put Assisi under his jurisdiction. Additional changes of authority led to the establishment of the Commune of Assisi, which soon was waging an unsuccessful war against the neighboring city of Perugia (Francis, a participant, ended up in jail for about a year). When not fighting invaders, the nobility and the working class of Assisi took to fighting each other. At one point, the people of the "upper part of town" battled those of the "lower part of town." The centuries of sackings included a 1503 invasion by the troops of Cesare Borgia. In the early 1800's came the troops of Napoleon, but I'll stop here, as it would take volumes to cover all of the conflicts. One can only hope that all places where war is now being waged eventually become as peaceful as Assisi.
Assisi is so peaceful. However, it hasn't always been that way. After the Romans replaced the Etruscans, who replaced the Umbrians, centuries of wars followed. San Rufino, who brought Christianity in the third century, was martyred by drowning. Barbarian invasions followed, and enventually Charlemagne's armies took over. In 1160 Frederick Barbarossa put Assisi under his jurisdiction. Additional changes of authority led to the establishment of the Commune of Assisi, which soon was waging an unsuccessful war against the neighboring city of Perugia (Francis, a participant, ended up in jail for about a year). When not fighting invaders, the nobility and the working class of Assisi took to fighting each other. At one point, the people of the "upper part of town" battled those of the "lower part of town." The centuries of sackings included a 1503 invasion by the troops of Cesare Borgia. In the early 1800's came the troops of Napoleon, but I'll stop here, as it would take volumes to cover all of the conflicts. One can only hope that all places where war is now being waged eventually become as peaceful as Assisi.
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