Siena was first settled in the time of the Etruscans around 900 BC. It was first inhabited by a tribe called the Saina. During the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus, the village became a Roman town know as Saena Julia. These Roman origins accounts for the town's emblem - a she-wolf suckling the infants Romulus and Remus (pictured here). According to Roman legend, Siena was founded by Remus’ son Senius. Remus’ brother is known as the founder or Rome. Siena has many statues and other artwork depicting a she-wolf suckling the young twins Romulus and Remus. Siena was not a prosperous city under Roman rule because it was isolated from any major roads and nearby trade routes. Prominence and wealth came following the Lombard invasion. The Lombards, a Germanic tribe, and the Byzantines (medieval inheritors of the Roman Empire) fought for control of the Italian peninsula. The Roman trade routes were constantly subject to attack, so the Lombards established new north-south trade routes through Siena. The city prospered. The oldest Sienese families date their lines to the Lombard's surrender to Charlemagne (the Frankish emperor) in 774. Following capitulation, the city was inundated with Frankish administrators who married into the existing Sienese nobility. Siena prospered and became a major financial and textile centre. A series of bishops governed the city for some time and, following a territorial dispute with Arezzo, the local nobility gained power culminating in Siena’s complete independence from the church in 1167. By 1179, the city had its own constitution.

 

Following independence from the church, Siena experienced unprecedented growth. The Duomo, Siena's cathedral, was completed during this time period. The city also undertook construction of the Piazza del Campo, Siena’s main square. In the early 12th century, a self-governing commune replaced the earlier royal government. The consuls who governed the republic slowly became more inclusive of the poblani, or common people, and the commune increased its territory as the surrounding feudal nobles in their fortified castles joined the growing city-state. Siena's new republic, struggling internally between disgruntled nobles and the popular party, continued their feud with nearby Florence.

On September 4, 1260 Siena’s army, supported by the King of Sicily, defeated the Florentine army in the Battle of Montaperti. Prior to the battle, Siena’s was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Half of the Florentine army was lost and was such a rout that in sporting events the Sienes will often yell “Remember Montaperti!” Siena’s university, founded in 1203 and famed for its faculties of law and medicine, is still among the most important universities in Italy. Siena rivaled Florence in the arts and sciences through the 13th and 14th centuries. Devastated by the Black Plague in 1348, and also suffered from ill-fated financial ventures. The city was then subject to a number of council governments when a noble Viscount from Milan took power to defend the city from Florentine expansionism. As rival Florence’s power grew, Siena relied on the militarist Piero Strozzi (ironically from Florence). Defeated at the Battle of Marciano in August 1554, Siena surrendered to Florence on April 17, 1555. This was the end of the Republic of Siena. The city remains an important center of culture and higher education.