2 INTRODUCTION. 
assumed the title of prince, formed a barrier against : 
his farther progress towards the south of Italy, and 
preserved their independence, and their dominions. — 
The subordinate cities and districts within their ter- 
ritories were governed by counts and castaldi, of 
whom the counts of Salerno were amongst the 
principal ?. 
In the contentions of the Lombard princes, about 
the middle of the ninth century, the province of 
Benevento was divided into three sovereignties ; the 
principalities of Benevento and Salerno, and sub- — 
sequently the county of Capua. Salerno was the 
largest, and comprehended all the southern parts of 
Italy, and the metropolis was a great and well forti- 
fied city, the seat of the prince, and of an arch- — 
bishop ?. 
In the meanwhile these districts were in an up- 
settled and unhappy state. All the coasts of Italy 
were frequently plundered and devastated by the — 
neighbouring Arabians of Sicily, Africa, and Spain; 
and they occasionally occupied parts of the country. — 
* Giannone, Istoria di Napoli, ed. Haia. 1753, vol. i. 
p- 387. 431, ete. Antonii Mazza, Urbis Salernitane Historia 
et Antiquitates, In Gravii et Gronovii Antiquitates Ital. 
tom, ix. part iv. 
* Gian, vol. i, p. 431. 
nt a ee 
