The foundation of Milan is attributed to the Insubrian Gauls; but the first distinct notice of it occurs 221 ac., when it was subdued by the Romans, under whom it acquired so much importance, that in the division of the empire attributed to Constantine the Great it ranks as the second city of Italy. In the middle of the 5th century it was sacked by the Huns under Attila, and again in the following century by the Goths. Greater horrnrs yet awaited it; and the Goths, who had been driven out by Belisarius, having repined possession by the aid of the Burgundians, gave it up to the flames and put almost all its inhabitants to the sword. Rebuilt, it again became very flourish ing under the Lombards and Charlemagne. Arrogance grew with its prosperity, and Milan lorded it so haughtily over the neighboring towns and republics, that in 1162, when the Emperor Frederick I, whose supremacy it re fused to acknowledge, had resolved to take summary vengeance, the inhabitants of Pavia, Cremona, Lodi, Como and Novara eagerly hastened to the task and razed it to the ground The cruelties practised produced a reaction, and in 1167 the famous Lombard League was formed at Pontita, and among other important results succeeded in bringing back the Milan ese; and the city, again rebuilt, became even more populous and influential than before. It
long continued, however, to be torn by internal factions, headed by the leading nobility, among whom the Visconti at last gained the ascend ency, and ruled it from 1395 till 1447. They were succeeded by the Sforzas, whose rule ended in 1535. Milan passed next into the pos session of the Spaniards. At the close of the War of Succession it was allotted to Austria (1714). Under Bonaparte it became the capital of the Cisalpine Republic, of the Italian Re public, and of the Italian kingdom. In 1815 it was restored to Austria, and continued the capi tal of the Austro-Italian kingdom until 1859, when by the Peace of Villafranca Lombardy was ceded to Piedmont. Pop. about 663.000.
Bibliography.— Ady, C. M., 'A History of Milan under the Sforza) (New York 1907); Beltrami, L., 'Reminiscenze di storia e d'arte nella clue di Milano' (Milan 1862-67) ; Noyes, Ella, 'Story of Milan' (in the 'Mediwval Town Series,' London 1908) ; Shaw, Albert, 'Mu nicipal Government on the Continent of (New York 1906) ; Valeri, F. M., 'Milano' (Bergamo 1906).