The
hill at 800 m a.s.l. is where Fumone was to be found in a position of
strategic importance.
From the top its possible to see
important towns that in the VIII Cent were founded by the ancient peoples
the Hernicans.; Anagni, Alatri, Veroli, Ferentino, Frosinone.
It is also possible to see other
towns that belonged to the Volsci, mortal enemies of the Hernicans and
later that of the Romans.
So its easy to see the importance of
this lookout post used to make smoke signals all those years ago.
When
King ‘Tarquinio il superbo’ was thrown out of Rome it was thought to
have been one of his refuges. Fumone was of military importance even
during the Roman Empire.
Dominating the whole Sacco valley
but above good vision of about 50 km of the Via Latina, a main road that
connected Rome to Capua. (at those times the 2nd most important city in
Italy) Smoke signals to warn Rome of on coming invasions were of great
importance. Many times the signals proved to be of great help.
During
the Sanite wars Pirro’s troups were hiding around Sora (visible from
Fumone) waiting to block the Roman soldiers on their way to River Liri.
Imagine how important it was to get that information to them.
Also well known, is the episode in
the II Punic war. General Annibal was hiding out with all his army in
Capua and Fumone was able to give precious information about their
movements and again later when Hannibal lived in Puglia and wanted to take
Rome by surprise.
Hannibal
wanted to convince the Romans to give up their long assalt on Capua trying
to convince them Rome was being invaded. But no signs from Fumone were
adverted and the Romans didn’t fall for it. Hannibal backing off
set fire to many towns on his retreat including Ferentino.
These
were smoke signalled.
Another important moment was during
the Civil War between Mario and Silla and his army returning from the far
East were hiding on the outskirts of Brindisi recrouting troops.
Caio Mario was in Rome getting ready
for the attack
.Silla on his way up camped up near
River Liri.
Mario in the meantime had died and
his son, also Caio Mario, lead the battle.
When Silla decided to tighten the
grip his enemy hid up in Preneste and they were able to creep up and take
over the town.
Silla was implacable with the enemy
and just as generous to all those who helped him win.
Fumone, dominating the area would
have had an important part to play in these events. It is uncertain who
Fumone helped, probably Caio Mario to start with being a native of the
area and then later Silla.
In the long period of peace that
followed Fumone would have given out peaceful signs for all to see,
interrupted by the sad signs that the invasion of the vandals had
begun 455a.c. taking us into the Medieval.
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Castello
Marchesi Longhi de Paolis - Copyright 2003 | | 
