The Duchy of Spoleto was a Lombard duchy in central Italy that existed from the late 6th century until the early 13th century. Centered on the city of Spoleto, it controlled much of the mountainous interior of central Italy, including parts of modern Umbria, Abruzzo, Marche, and Lazio.
The duchy emerged during the Lombard conquest of Italy in the 570s, under Duke Faroald I. Owing to its position astride the Via Flaminia, Spoleto became strategically important in the struggle between the Lombards and the Byzantine Empire. Although its dukes nominally recognized the authority of the Lombard kings, the duchy often acted independently and at times concluded alliances or truces on its own.
After the Frankish conquest of the Lombard kingdom in 774, the Duchy of Spoleto passed under Carolingian suzerainty but retained a distinct political identity. During the 9th and 10th centuries its rulers played an active role in the politics of central Italy and Rome, and several dukes went on to become kings or emperors.
From the late 12th century onward the duchy was gradually absorbed into the Papal States, and by the reign of Pope Innocent III it had ceased to exist as an autonomous polity.
History
Lombard conquest
thumb|Central Italy during the Lombard era
The Duchy of Spoleto emerged during the Lombard expansion into central Italy in the late 6th century. Its origins are traditionally placed during the reign of Alboin, around 571. An alternative chronology places the foundation of the duchy after the failed Byzantine offensive of 575–576 led by Baduarius. Following this defeat Faroald I and associated Lombard groups established control, placing the foundation of the duchy a few years later.
Ariulf made frequent expeditions against the Byzantines (in 579–592 against Ravenna and in 592 against Rome).
After Ariulf's death in 602, a succession dispute arose among the sons of Faroald I. The eldest, Theodelap, prevailed in battle and became duke. He is believed to have died around 650, though some sources place his death in 653. He was then obliged by Liutprand, King of the Lombards to restore it, a measure of the loose central control of Lombard rule that Liutprand was occupied in tightening, at least as Paul interpreted events for his Frankish patrons.
Dukedom of Transamund II
Transamund II, son of Faroald II, rebelled against him and in 724 forced him to abdicate and take monastic vows at the monastery of San Pietro in Ferentillo, where he died in 728. Some, however, believe that Faroald II abdicated voluntarily.
After the death of Louis II, Lambert I was restored to power by Emperor Charles II the Bald. Suppo received other duchies in compensation. Lambert withdrew to Camerino and left Spoleto to his brother Guy II. In 877, acting against Charles II and allied with Alberic, count of Tusculum, Lambert seized Rome and imposed recognition of Carloman as imperial claimant. He and his allies were excommunicated by the pope, and Charles II declared him banished from the empire; the Council of Troyes in 878 confirmed the excommunication.
To the east, the Adriatic Sea formed the boundary of the duchy. To the south it bordered the territory of Benevento, while to the north it met the Byzantine-held Pentapolis. The cities of Camerino and Fermo also appear to have belonged to Spoleto.
The duchy was ruled by a duke, described with the title Summus et Gloriosus Dux Langobardorum. In large duchies such as Spoleto, the duke exercised substantial authority, while acknowledging the higher sovereignty of the Lombard king.
Administrative divisions
The Duchy of Spoleto was divided irregularly into territorial districts known as gastaldates, named either after cities or important settlements.