Genoa: History, Former Names & Timeline
Maritime republic on the Ligurian Sea that fought Venice for the trade of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea; the birthplace of Columbus.
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Former names of Genoa
| From | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 500 BC | Genua | |
| 1100 | Genova | Republic of Genoa |
Timeline of Genoa
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 203 BC | The Romans rebuild Genoa after its destruction by the Carthaginians |
| 1099 | The commune of Genoa is formed (about this date) |
| 1284 | Battle of Meloria: Genoa defeats Pisa |
| 1298 | Marco Polo, a prisoner in Genoa, dictates his travels |
| 1528 | Andrea Doria restores the republic in alliance with Spain |
| 1797 | Napoleon turns it into the Ligurian Republic |
| 1815 | The Congress of Vienna gives Genoa to the Kingdom of Sardinia |
Who ruled Genoa
Derived from the border maps; each row runs until the next recorded border change.
| Period | State |
|---|---|
| 500 BC–401 BC | Unclaimed / no data |
| 400 BC–324 BC | Hallstatt culture |
| 323 BC–201 BC | Greek city-states |
| 200 BC–101 BC | Rome |
| 100 BC–2 BC | Roman Republic |
| 1 BC–299 | Roman Empire |
| 300–399 | Rome (Maximian) |
| 400–499 | Western Roman Empire |
| 500–599 | Ostrogoths |
| 600–799 | Lombard principalities |
| 800–999 | Carolingian Empire |
| 1000–1599 | Holy Roman Empire |
| 1600–1782 | Genoa |
| 1783–1879 | Kingdom of Sardinia |
| 1880–1913 | Italy |
| 1914–1919 | Kingdom of Italy |
| 1920–today | Italy |
Battles and sites near Genoa
- Canossa · 1077
Famous people of Genoa
| Lived | Person | |
|---|---|---|
| 1254 – 1324 | Marco Polo | Merchant and traveller |
| 1451 – 1506 | Christopher Columbus | Navigator |
Nearby cities
Further reading
Questions about Genoa
What was Genoa called in the past?
Genoa has been known as Genua (from 500 BC); Genova (from 1100, Republic of Genoa). Its present name dates from 1100.
Which states have ruled Genoa?
On the historical border maps from 500 BC to today, Genoa lies within 15 different states: Hallstatt culture, Greek city-states, Rome, Roman Republic, Roman Empire, Rome (Maximian), Western Roman Empire, Ostrogoths, Lombard principalities, Carolingian Empire and others.
What are the key dates in the history of Genoa?
203 BC: The Romans rebuild Genoa after its destruction by the Carthaginians. 1099: The commune of Genoa is formed (about this date). 1284: Battle of Meloria: Genoa defeats Pisa. 1298: Marco Polo, a prisoner in Genoa, dictates his travels. 1528: Andrea Doria restores the republic in alliance with Spain.
Which famous people are connected with Genoa?
Marco Polo (merchant and traveller, 1254 – 1324); Christopher Columbus (navigator, 1451 – 1506).
Last updated 9 November 2026. Sources: border data from historical-basemaps, land and rivers from Natural Earth; texts written for Chronica Maps from standard reference works. How we make the maps.