The first historical evidences on the city date back to samnitic wars, during which Benevento was a strong and powerful city, so that the Romans lost hearth to attack it.
In 275 B.C. Romans, leaded by the consul Manlio Curio Dentato, beat Epiro’s king and the city changed its name from “Maleventum” into “Beneventum” to testify the victory-“bonus eventus”. Many monuments remember Benevento’s greatness during roman period. Since the city was placed along Appian way it soon became an important point of reference in businesses between Rome and the Orient.

A testifying monument is the Leproso Bridge built on the Appian way route. Traiano Arch is also placed on this way, turning east, to welcome the Emperor that came back from Orient. The same importance has the Roman Theatre that could house 10.000 spectators. Dating back to Longobardian period is the feminine Benedictine monastery of Santa Sofia, founded by Gisulfo II and completed in 762 by Arechi II and the nearby Cloister with horseshoed arches and carved capitols.

The Dome, in Romanic style with five naves, is famous for its doors: an impressive example of southern Romanesque sculpture. The Longobard Dukedom lasted nearly five centuries. When Landolfo IV died the city passed under the Papal dominion that, even with some interruptions, lasted for eight centuries. Federico II sacked the city in 1229 and in 1241; in 1266 took place the famous battle between Manfredi and Carlo D’Angiò that gave Benevento back to the Pope.

It then passed from a domination to another: from Callisto III to Pietro Ludovico Borgia, from Alexander VI to his son John(1497) and the city was harassed by internal fights till 1530 when was signed a peace treaty.
A terrifying earthquake in 1688 destroyed rather completely the city and it was rebuilt with big sacrifices thanks to Cardinal Vincenzo M. Orsini, lately become Pope as Benedetto XIII.

Ferdinando IV di Borbone occupied Benevento from 1768 and 1774. In 1779 the city took part in the Neapolitan revolution and in 1806 became property of Napoleon. After Vienna Congress it came back to the Church. A popular revolt in 1860 ended the papal dominion on the city that chose to be part of Italian Reign. Benevento received the golden medal for the brave behaviour of the population during the 1943 air raids.