Editing Liguria (section)

=== The foundation of Genoa ===
{{Main|History of Genoa}}
[[File:TavolaPolcevera.jpg|thumb|The [[Polcevera]] bronze tablet, evidence of Genoa's Roman and pre-Roman past]]

The Genoa area has been inhabited since the fifth or fourth millennium BC.<ref>The objects found during the works for the underground had been exposed in the exhibition ''Archeologia Metropolitana. Piazza Brignole e Acquasola'', held at the Ligurian Archeology Museum (30 November 2009 - 14 February 2010) ([http://www.museidigenova.it/spip.php?article479] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230235040/http://www.museidigenova.it/spip.php?article479|date=December 30, 2013|data=30 dicembre 2013}})</ref> In ancient times this area was inhabited by [[Ligures]] (ancient people after whom Liguria is named). According to excavations carried out in the city between 1898 and 1910, the Ligure population that lived in Genoa maintained trade relations with the [[Etruscan civilization|Etruscans]] and the [[Greeks]], since several objects from these populations were found.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Melli|first=Piera |title=Genova preromana. Città portuale del Mediterraneo tra il VII e il III secolo a.C. |year=2007 |publisher=Frilli |isbn=978-8875633363 |language=it}}</ref><ref>Marco Milanese, ''Scavi nell'oppidum preromano di Genova'', L'Erma di Bretschneider, Roma 1987 [https://books.google.com/books?id=Ge0mrXTQVIUC&pg=PA11 on-line] in GoogleBooks; Piera Melli, ''Una città portuale del Mediterraneo tra il VII e il III secolo a.C.'', Genova, Fratelli Frilli ed., 2007.</ref> In the 5th century BC the first town, or [[oppidum]], was founded at the top of the hill today called Castello (Castle), which is now inside the medieval old town. The ancient Ligurian city was known as Stalia (Σταλìα), referred to in this way by [[Artemidorus Ephesius]] and [[Pomponius Mela]]; this toponym is possibly preserved in the name of Staglieno, some {{convert|3|km|0|abbr=on}} from the coast. Stalia had an alliance with [[Roman Republic|Rome]] through a ''foedus aequum'' (equal pact) in the course of the [[Second Punic War]] (218-201&nbsp;BC). The [[Carthaginians]] accordingly destroyed it in 209&nbsp;BC. The town was rebuilt and, after the [[Carthaginian Wars]] ended in 146&nbsp;BC, it received municipal rights. The original ''castrum'' then expanded towards the current areas of Santa Maria di Castello and the San Lorenzo promontory. Trade goods included skins, timber, and honey. Goods were moved to and from Genoa's hinterland, including major cities like [[Tortona]] and [[Piacenza]]. An amphitheater was also found there among other archaeological remains from the Roman period.