Editing Asti (section)

=== Ancient times and early Middle Ages ===
People have lived in and around what is now Asti since the [[Neolithic]] period. Before their defeat in 174 BC by the Romans, tribes of [[Ligures]], the [[Statielli]], dominated the area and the [[toponym]] probably derives from ''Ast'' which means "hill" in the ancient [[Celtic language]].

In 124 BC the Romans built a ''[[castrum]]'', or fortified camp, which eventually evolved into a full city named Hasta. In 89 BC the city received the status of ''[[Colonia (Roman)|colonia]]'', and in 49 BC that of ''[[municipium]]''. Asti became an important city of the Augustan [[Italia (Roman Empire)|Regio IX]], favoured by its strategic position on the Tanaro river and on the [[Via Fulvia]], which linked Derthona ([[Tortona]]) to Augusta Taurinorum ([[Turin]]). Other roads connected the city to the main passes for what are today [[Switzerland]] and [[France]].

The city was crucial during the early stages of the barbarian invasions which stormed Italy during the fall of the [[Western Roman Empire]]. In early 402 AD, the [[Visigoths]] had invaded northern Italy and were advancing on [[Mediolanum]] (modern [[Milan]]) which was the imperial capital at that time. [[Honorius (emperor)|Honorius]], the young emperor and a resident in that city, unable to wait for promised reinforcements any longer, was compelled to flee from Milan for safety in the city of [[Arles]] in [[Gaul]]. However, just after his convoy had left Milan and crossed the [[River Po]] his escape route through the [[Alps]] was cut off by the Gothic cavalry. This forced him to take emergency refuge in the city of Hasta until more Roman troops could be assembled in Italy. The Goths placed Hasta under siege until March when General [[Stilicho]], bringing reinforcements from the [[Rhine]], fought and defeated them at the [[Battle of Pollentia]]. After this first victorious defence, thanks to a massive line of walls, Hasta suffered from the barbarian invasions which stormed Italy after the fall of the [[Western Roman Empire|Western Empire]], and declined economically.

In the second half of the 6th century, it was chosen as a seat for one of the 36 Duchies in which the [[Lombards]] divided Italy. The territory of Asti comprised a wide area, stretching out to [[Albenga]] and the [[Maritime Alps]]. This remained when northern Italy was conquered by the [[Franks]] in 774, with the title of County.

In the late Carolingian age, Asti was ruled directly by his bishops, who were the main landlords of the area. Most important are Audax (904-926) and Bruningus (937-966), who moved the episcopal seat to the Castel Vecchio ("Old Castle"), where it remained until 1409. The [[bishopric of Asti]] remained a powerful entity well into the 11th century when Pietro II received huge privileges by emperor [[Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry II]]. In the second half of the century, Bishop Otto tried to resist the aims of the powerful countess [[Adelaide of Susa]], who damaged the city several times. During Otto's reign, a [[medieval commune|commune]] and the [[consul]] magistrates are mentioned for the first time (1095).