The Sannite-built city of Telesia, situated in the Valle Telesina, lies halfway between San Salvatore Telesino and Telese Terme. Its placement offered a strategic advantage in the road system of Southern Sannio, and its defensive strategy was centuries ahead of its time. Sadly, this strategic value would lead to its invasion by the Carthaginian general Annibale in 217 BC, during the Second Punic War. Prior to this, written records of Telesia are scarce.
Excavations in the region reveal evidence of Sannite habitation, with five tombs found in the Truono area, near archaeological Roman remains. In Roman times, Telesia became a Roman city, gaining significant importance, as documented by historians Tito Livio and Polibio. Annibale, having crossed the Eribiano mountains and defeated the Romans at the Trasimeno, reached the Sannio region and attacked Telesia, despite its strategic and commercial importance, as it had no defensive walls at the time.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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