Editing Trapani (section)

=== From Roman Times to Spanish Domination ===
Trapani's strategic location played a significant role during the [[First Punic War]], notably in 249 BC, when the Carthaginians defeated the Roman fleet in the Battle of Drepana. However, a few years later, in [[241 BC]], the Romans under [[Gaius Lutatius Catulus (consul 242 BC)|Gaius Lutatius Catulus]] decisively defeated the Carthaginian fleet at the [[Battle of the Aegates]], marking the end of the war. Rome subsequently captured the city, Latinizing its name to ''Drepanum''.

The Romans treated Sicilian cities according to their behavior during the Punic Wars. Drepanum was categorized among the 26 "censorial cities" (''civitates censoriae''), known for their steadfast resistance against Roman forces. Consequently, Rome penalized the city for its loyalty to Carthage, leading Trapani into a period of decline and depopulation.

After Roman rule, the [[Vandals]] and later the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]] dominated the city. However, significant growth occurred in the [[9th century]] under [[Muslim Sicily|Arab rule]] (from 827), who called the city ''Itràbinis'', ''Taràbanis'', or ''Tràpanesch'', and subsequently under the [[Normans]], who captured Trapani in [[1077]] under [[Roger I of Sicily|Roger I]]. In these periods, Trapani flourished commercially and culturally, becoming an essential harbor during the [[Crusades]]. Throughout the [[Middle Ages]], Trapani's port was among the most prominent in the Mediterranean; all major [[maritime republics]] ([[Republic of Genoa|Genoa]], [[Republic of Pisa|Pisa]], [[Republic of Venice|Venice]], [[Republic of Amalfi|Amalfi]]) maintained [[Consulate|consulates]] there. The city notably served as a strategic stopover, especially for Genoa and Pisa, en route to their [[North Africa|North African]] territories.

In [[1266]], during the [[War of Saint Sabas]], Venetian and Genoese fleets clashed in front of Trapani's harbor, with the Venetians capturing the entire Genoese fleet.
[[File:Arrivo aragonesi.jpg|thumb|[[Peter III of Aragon|Peter III Aragon]], in Trapani (Sicily) during the "''Vespri siciliani''" (1282) (Biblioteca Vaticana)]]
In [[1282]], after a brief period under [[Angevin invasion of Sicily|Angevin]] control, Trapani played an active role in the [[Sicilian Vespers]] rebellion led by [[Palmiero Abate]], subsequently coming under [[Crown of Aragon|Aragonese]] rule. Throughout the [[14th century|14th]] and [[15th century|15th]] centuries, Trapani expanded, becoming the economic and political center of Western Sicily. In [[1478]], King [[Ferdinand II of Aragon]] honored Trapani with the title ''Invittissima'' ("Most Invincible"), acknowledging its steadfast resistance to the kingdom's enemies.

In [[1516]], Trapani was among the Sicilian cities that rebelled against [[Hugo de Moncada]]. The revolt was led by [[Don Simone Sanclemente]], who briefly established himself as ''Capitano di giustizia'' (Chief Justice), effectively becoming the city's ruler for several months.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Monroy |first=Giuseppe |title=Storia di un borgo feudale del Seicento: Paceco |publisher=Officina Tipografica Editoriale Radio |year=1929 |location=Trapani |pages=43-44 |language=Italian}}</ref>
[[File:Palazzo Senatorio Trapani Sicilia.jpg|thumb|Palazzo Cavarretta or ''Senatorio'', seat of the [[Senate of Trapani|historical city senate]], and of the actual municipal council.]]
On August 20, [[1535]], Emperor [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] arrived in Trapani after [[Conquest of Tunis (1535)|conquering Tunis]]. Recognizing the city's strategic importance, Charles V described Trapani as the "Key to the Kingdom" and swore to uphold its privileges, including the authority granted to the [[Senate of Trapani]] to confer university degrees in medicine, physics, theology, mathematics, fine arts, and law. In [[1589]], Trapani was formally elevated from ''Terra'' (land) to ''Civitas'' (city).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Accardi |first=Salvatore |url=http://www.trapaniinvittissima.it/files/1589_trapani_diventa_citta.pdf |title=Letter from Ximenes Durria |language=Italian}}</ref>

The [[17th century]] was marked by decline, driven by famine-induced uprisings in [[1647]] and [[1670]]–[[1673]], and a severe plague outbreak in [[1624]]. However, in the [[18th century]], the city's population significantly increased, growing from approximately 16,000 to 25,000 inhabitants.