Abstract
Abstract
Geographically, southern Italy is characterized by the high mountains of the Apennines and the fertile coastal plains, and this geography produced characteristically independent peoples. Its history and development were influenced by the Greeks, Etruscans, and Romans. The communities gained full Roman citizenship after the Social War and became part of a united Italy. The area enjoyed the benefits of the
pax Romana
in the first two and a half centuries
ce
, after which it suffered from the barbarian invasions, and in the second half of the sixth century came under the influence of Byzantine emperors from Constantinople.