The origin of the town is not certain. It was maybe founded by Osco – Sabelli people, in Murate area, on the left bank of Basento River. Strabone and Plinio described Potentia as one of the most independent towns of Lucania. The town was conquered by Romans and was transformed from 'municipium’ into a ‘praefectura’ and then into a military colony as a punishment for having helped Hannibal. The town had been hostile to Rome also in the war between Romans and Samnites and Romans and Bruzi. During Roman Empire, the town became quite rich and it was one of the most important towns of the region. In that period the town was situated on the left bank of Basento River, in a lower position than today. During Middle Ages the town developed on the mountains and arrived at 800 m above the sea level. In 402 a.C. it was conquered by Goths led by Alarico and in VI century a.C. Longobards led by Alboino annexed it to the Dukedom of Benevento. In 847 Potenza entered the Princedom of Salerno. Then there was the arrival of Byzantines that called the region ‘Basilicata’. This name came from ‘basilici’, that is the name of governors. Then Normans conquered the town and the whole region and united it to Sicily and Calabria. During Norman government the region lost its name, Lucania, and was finally called Basilicata. During that age there were the invasions by Saracens that arrived to Potenza, a town that was not near the sea. Near Potenza there is a place called Campo Saraceno, this name recalls the arrival of Saracens in the area. In 1137 Potenza was conquered by Lotario. In XIII century it was governed by Svevians and in 1269 Charles I of Anjou, thanks to his loyal supporters, Count of Belcastro and Ruggiero Sanseverino, count of Marsico, destroyed Potenza. Then on 18^th December 1273 an earthquake completed the destruction. In 1301 the territory became a feud and it was given to count Giovanni Pipino. The feud then passed to Ugo Sanseverino and Orilia Family. At the beginning of XV century the town was conquered by Francesco Sforza who donated it to Michele Attendolo di Cotignola. Then it was governed by Alphonse of Aragorn, by Guevara family and Loffredo family. In the second half of 1600 during the fights between French and Spanish rulers, the Southern part of Italy became a Spanish viceroyalty. Many citizens rebelled against Spanish rulers, but these rebellions were easily suppressed. In 1694 there was another violent earthquake that destroyed the town and the Spanish rulers didn’t do much to help the recovery. After the end of Spanish government, in 1800 there was the arrival of Borboni family, the first Italian family to rule the territory after so many years. In 1799 there was the proclamation of the Partenopean Republic, supported by France; the town of Potenza was one of the first towns in Southern Italy to raise the tree of freedom, under the guidance of the Bishop, Andrea Serrao. Potenza fought courageously against the troops of Cardinal Fabrizio Ruffo, arrived in town to "restore" the order. During French government Potenza became regional capital. French rulers improved the roads, the education, the hygienic situation; graveyards were moved outside the town. At the end of French government there was the terrible phenomenon of brigandage. In 1848 there was a rebellion led by Emilio Maffei. But his rebellion was violently suppressed. On 16^th August 1860 there was another rebellion against Borboni and on 18^th the region was united to the Reign of Italy ruled by King Vittorio Emanuele II di Savoia.

The town was destroyed by the terrible earthquake of 23^rd November 1980 that hit also Campania. It was a very strong earthquake: 300 towns and villages were destroyed or damaged and there were 3000 victims.