An Italian city founded by Celtic tribes along the Po River in the seventh century B.C.E.
Milan has a long history of being conquered by opposing forces because of its location on the Padana Plain between Rome and the northern Italian peninsular region. During the third century B.C.E., Roman legions seized control of the town and named it Mediolanum, meaning “middle of the plain.” During the Roman period, Milan became an important link in the trade route from north and northwestern Europe to Rome, and subsequently the city prospered. In 313 C.E., the emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan from that city, a decree granting Christians the right to worship freely.
After the demise of the Western Roman empire, Milan experienced centuries of decline until the eleventh century, when a council was established to govern the city and renew its former economic position in the region. The importance of the city and its rivalry with neighboring towns drew the attention of Frederick I Barbarossa, who attacked Milan in 1162. The invasion by an outside force spurred cooperation among the neighboring towns, which forced Frederick to retreat in 1176.
During the Renaissance, the Torrianis, the Viscontis, and the Sforzas—wealthy families who promoted the arts and conducted extensive building projects—ruled the city. Increased trade added to the economic prosperity of the town and once again resulted in an attempt by a foreign power, this time Spain, to control Milan in 1535. Milan was transferred to the Austrian empire in 1713 at the end of the War of Spanish Succession. Napoléon Bonaparte later captured the city and made it a regional capital until the end of the Napoleonic Wars, when the city reverted back to the Austrians. Napoléon III defeated the Austrian forces at the Battle of Magenta and Milan was finally incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy in 1860. As a result of the extensive Allied bombing of the town during World War II, the city was rebuilt in its modern form. Today, Milan is the location of Italy’s stock exchange and is renowned for its fashion houses. Many high-tech service firms have moved to Milan, as have Italy’s leading media companies. Known as the cultural center of Italy, Milan continues to play a key role in trade in Europe and throughout the world.
Cynthia Clark Northrup
See also: French Empire; Roman Empire; Warfare.
Killinger, Charles L. The History of Italy. Westport: Greenwood, 2002.