SpoletoSpoleto is a town in Italy in the province of Umbria. The
first mention of Spoletium in history is the notice of the
foundation of a colony there in 241 BC. (Liv. Epit. xx.; Yell.
Pat. i. 14), and it was still, according to Cicero (Pro Balbo)
colonia latina in primis firma et illustris: a Latin colony in
95 BC . After the battle of Trasimenus (217 BC) Spoletium was
attacked by Hannibal, who was repulsed by the inhabitants (Liv.
xxii. 9). During the Second Punic War the city was a useful ally
to Rome. It suffered greatly during the civil wars of Marius and
Sulla. The latter, after his victory over Crassus, confiscated
the territory of Spoletium (82 BC.). From this time forth it was
a municipium. Under the empire it again became a flourishing
town, but is not often mentioned in history. It was situated on
a branch of the Via Flaminia, which left the main road at Narnia
and rejoined it at Forum Flaminii. An ancient road also ran
hence to Nursia. Martial speaks of its wine. Aemilianus, who had
been proclai