Basilicata - A Neglected Region

In Roman times Basilicata was known as Lucania, after the Lucani people who were the first known invaders of the region before the Greeks invaded during the 7th century BCE. The area was under Roman rule by the 2nd century BCE and under the government of Rome it fell into decay. Cities on the coast became depopulated, and malaria began to gain the upper hand. The few towns of the interior were of little importance. A large part of the land was given over to pasture, and the mountains were covered with forests, which were full of wild boar, bears and wolves. In more recent times, the discovery of oil within the harsh mountainous landscape has meant the region has started to regenerate and has begun to promote its emerging tourist industry.