Carsoli (Marsicano:
Carsòi) is a town and
comune in the province of L'Aquila,
Abruzzo (central
Italy). The ancient Roman city lies southwest of the modern town.
History
The ancient city, known as
Carsioli (or
Carseoli), was founded in the country of the
Aequi between 302 and 298 BC, just after the establishment of
Alba Fucens, no doubt as a stronghold to guard the road to the latter. It is mentioned in 211 BC as one of the 12 of 30 Latin colonies that protested their inability to furnish more men or money for the war against
Hannibal. It is known that, in 168 BC, it was used as a place of confinement for political prisoners. It was sacked in the Social War, but probably became a
municipium after it. The 1st century agricultural writer
Columella possessed estates there.
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The modern town of Carsoli first appears in a diploma of 866 AD, but the old site does not seem to have been abandoned until the 13th century.
Main sights
The line of the city walls (originally in
tuff, and reconstructed in
limestone), built of rectangular blocks, can still be seen. There are remains of several ancient buildings, including the podium or base, of a temple, and also the ancient branch road from the
Via Valeria. The 43rd milestone of the Via Valeria still lies at or near its original site; it was set up by
Nerva in 97 AD.
Some to the northwest of Carsoli are the remains of an ancient Roman aqueduct consisting of a buttressed wall of concrete crossing a valley.
Climate
See also
External links
