Reggio (Rhegion) was founded by colons from Calcide, a town on the Isle of Eubea and from people exiled from Zancle, in VIII century b.C. It became immediately a republic: it was first governed by Alcidamide and then by his grandson Anassila. Reggio Calabria was, after Cuma, the most ancient Greek colony in Southern Italy. Its geographic position and an intelligent government made of Reggio one of the capital cities of Magna Graecia. Reggio fought a war against Zancle and occupied it, changing its name in Messene (today Messina). Reggio became a very important town from an artistic and cultural point of view, thanks to its Pythagorean philosophy and to schools devoted to sculpture and poetry. The town allied to Athens, and then it was conquered by people from Siracusa led by Dionigi in 387 b.C. His son called the town "Febea" until his death, when the town took again its name, Reggio. During the wars of Taranto the town was conquered by Romans. After an earthquake Caesar ordered to rebuild it and it was called Rhegium Julii. It was an autonomous town and an important ally to Rome. During the Imperial age Reggio was one of the most important towns of the empire and of Southern Italy. It was the seat of the governor of Lucania et Brutium region. It was destroyed by Visigoths led by Alarico and then conquered by Ostrogoths led by Totila. Thanks to Byzantines the town returned to life.

In 1060 Roberto il Guiscardo and Ruggero d’Altavilla conquered it. Reggio has always been linked to Messina and to other towns of Eastern Sicily. It took part to the rebellions against Angevins (1282) and allied to Aragon family. After the peace of Caltabellotta, Reggio was given to Anjou family that gave to it many privileges. The decadence of Reggio started in 1500 because of three reasons: Barbaric invasions, plagues and heavy Spanish taxes. Napoleon occupied it in 1806. It transformed it in a dukedom.

Reggio played an important role during Risorgimento (five men from Reggio were condemned to death) and entered the Reign of Italy, after Garibaldi conquered it, in 1860.

In the past there were frequent and violent earthquakes: 91 b. C., 1509 and 1599, 5^th February 1783, 1841, 1894, 28^th December 1908.

At the end of 1700 the town had been destroyed by earthquake and Bourbon rulers decide to rebuild it according to Illuminist models that cancelled the Middle Ages structure.

In 1970s there were administrative problems and riots, because the town wanted to be the regional capital (that was instead Catanzaro). The problem was solved thanks to an agreement: the administrative capital is Catanzaro; the economical and political one is Reggio.

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Written by Stefania Maffeo
Translation by Linda Liguori