Uno strumento di lotta politica poco studiato: le distruzioni delle fortezze rurali e il loro valore politico nell’Italia padana comunale (XII-XIII secolo)

Abstract

The essay analyses the theme of conflicts that arose due to the presence of stone fortifications between 12th and 13th century in the Po Valley communal Italy. The analysis is carried out on three areas of clashes in which the communes were protagonists, namely contrasts with the powers of the territory, inter-communal conflicts, and the fight against the exiles. Through some case studies, will be highlighted the different reasons that could lead to the destruction of stone fortresses, observing their military, political and symbolic implications and trying to understand how much the characteristics of this material influenced the decision.

Keywords

• conflicts
• italian city-state
• stone
• fortifications
• 13th century