Pollenzo

Article in other languages:

This article is about the Roman town in Italy. For the Roman town in Majorca, see Alcúdia.

This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. WikiProject Italy or the Italy Portal may be able to help recruit one. (February 2009)

The ancient town of Pollentia on the left bank of the Tanaro is known today as Pollenzo, a frazione of Bra in the Province of Cuneo, Piedmont.

In antiquity Pollentia was in the territory of the Ligurian Statielli, Augusta Bagiennorum (modern Roncaglia in the Commune of Bene Vagienna) being 16 km to the south. Its position on the road from Augusta Taurinorum (modern Turin) to the coast at Vada Sabatia (modern Vado Ligure, near Savona), at the point of divergence of a road to Hasta (modern Asti) gave it military importance. Decimus Brutus managed to occupy it an hour before Mark Antony in 43 BC; and it was here that Stilicho on the March 29, 403 fought the Battle of Pollentia with Alaric which though undecided led the Goths to evacuate Italy.

The place was famous for its brown wool, and for its pottery.

According to the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica considerable remains of ancient buildings, including an amphitheater, a theater and a temple were still in existence, although the so-called temple of Diana was more probably a tomb.