ancient Brixia
City (pop., 2001 prelim.: 187,865), Lombardy region, northern Italy.
Originally a Celtic stronghold, it was occupied by the Romans 0441; 200 BC and became the seat of a Roman colony in 27 BC. It was devastated by the Goths (AD 412) and plundered by Attila (452). It was a free city from 936 to 1426. It passed to Venice, France, and Austria before being united with Italy in 1860. Historic structures include Roman ruins and 11th-and 17th-century cathedrals. The art treasures in its numerous churches include works by painters of the 15th-and 16th-century Brescia school.