The Appian Way

Terracina, the Anxur of the Vosci, due to its position on a rocky spur of land overlooking the Tyrrhenian sea, has been an important strategic centre, and, more recentrly a commercial centre.

The oldest name of the city, Tarracina, probably of Etruscan origin, has been given in various forms: Tarracinae, Tarricina, Terracena. Also the Volscan name of the city, Anxur, is found in various forms: Anxur, Anxyr.

The city appears under Roman influence from a very early age, it was conquered by the Vosci at the beginning of the fifth century B.C. and was retaken by the Romans in 406. Retaken in 402, it was finally dominated during the fourth century when in 329 B.C., it was made into a seaport colony by 300 Roman citizens, recorded in the Oufentina tribe of 318 B.C.

In 312 B.C., it was collegated directly by the Appian Way. During the course of the third century B.C. and the first decade of the second century B.C., the city experienced a notable decline, interrupted by considerable economic gain in the middle of the second century. Terracina merchants belonging to the gens Memmia, operated in Delo. A cargo ship transporting over 8,000 amphoras labelled P. Veveius Papus, which indicated its origin from Terracina , sank in the sea of Marseilles in the first decade of the first century B.C.

An intense building growth followed the victory of Silla during the civil war. To this period is attribuited the urban development of the upper city described as a project which foresaw a graduating series of terraces centred in the area of the Foro Emiliano, then descending to the lower city.

It was an extensive project finally completed at the time of Augusto. Works resulting from colonial occupation of 40 B.C. were the completion ot the port, the cutting of Pisco Montano, and the installations of the Foro Emiliano and of Severiano. There are few references relative to the empire period. Under the Severi, the city reached its largest urban and demographic growth.

The period of decline was caused by its gradual abandon of the port; reaching its lowest level in the fourth century; when finally Avianio Vindiciano, Campaniae Consularis, initiated a series of interventios, around 370/380 A.D.

CHRISTIAN, MEDIEVAL AND MODERN TERRACINA

Local tradition has it that the church of Terracina was founded by Saint Peter, who named Epafrodito as bishop, but historically certain is the figure of Bishop Sabinus at the beginning of the third century (perhaps in 313).

Plagues broke out on different occasions bringing with them a gradual abandon of the lower city.

During thi same period (until the end of the sixth century) we find various interventions by Pope Gregorio Magno. The city definitely became a part of the church in the year 755 as referenced by a place called "Epitaffio" (from an existing Roman monument) situated on the border of the first papal state.

This situation is confirmed by a decision of Adrian I who, through military intervention, liberated Terracina from the Greeks and Longobards (year 778).

Although ruled by local government, the real power was still held by the papal state. The end of the eleventh century marks an important period in the history of the city. A powerfull abbot named Desiderio of Montecassino received the city in favour of his merit for anti imperialism.

In 1088, for the first time, a cardinal was elected Pope outside of the walls of Rome; and Terracina is the city that is witness to a similar event.

Between 1143 and 1204, the Frangipane family ( a powerfull Roman family) ruled the city. Various revolts by the populance, culminating with that of the castle, brought about the return of rule by Rome.

Contrary to the hopes of the Caetani, Terracina founded itself without support when the papal state transferred its base to Avignon. From Roberto D'Angiò, King of Naples, to Nicolò Caetani, the rulers of Genoa that in 1346 saved the city from the Caetani, it was all a series of rulers. Only in 1499, the city definitely returned to the pontifical state which, through a series of towers, made Terracina into a strong defence point to the south.

Following others of Lazio, the city, in 1870 became a part of the kingdom of Italy and was inserted into the province of Terra di Lavoro (Work Land) and subsequently into that of Rome; and in the 30's in that of Littoria, the future Latina.

STRUCTURE OF THE CITY

The most ancient part of Terracina, surrounded by poligonal walls, rose where nowadays there is the nucleus of the upper town. The Etruscans built the massive Cyclopean walls and the port. Towards the end of the 6th centurery B.C.. the city was taken by the Vosci who changed the old Etruscan name of Terracina into that of Anxur. The importance of the city grew rapidly under the Romans, both because it was crossed by the Appian Way which reaches the sea for the first time here, and because of its port which, after its reconstruction and enlargement attributed to Trajan, was considered one of the most important in the whole Mediterranean. There are many outstanding ancient ruins of which we will just mention the Temple of Jupiter Anxur which crowns Monte Sant'Angelo and the Aemilian Forum on which was built the 13th century Cathedral in the Romanesque style of Latium. In the lower part of the town there are impressive ruins of the Baths, known as those of Neptune, of the Amphiteatre and the Forum of Septimius Severus, and a remarkable stretch of the Via Appia with the ancient paving. Among the more modern buildings we have the monumental neo-classical Church of the Santissimo Salvatore (The Holy Savious).

The historical city centre of Terracina, being so old, has a lot of different kinds of monuments belonging to almost all the periods of its long life. This leaflet deals with the medieval period and belongs to a small series of publications whose end is to spread the knowledge of the rich artistic heritage concerning the several historical ages of the old area of the town. Even it the top part of Terracina was heavly bombed and damaged during the years 1943 and 1944, it stil preserves the original structure of the medieval town.