ancient Ticinum
City (pop., 2001 prelim.: 71,074), Lombardy , northern Italy.
Located on the Ticino River , the site was originally a settlement of the Papiria tribe; it was conquered by Rome 0441; 220 BC. Pillaged by Attila and Odoacer in the 5th century AD, it became a centre of Gothic resistance against the Byzantine Empire. Ruled by the Visconti family (see Gian Galeazzo Visconti ) from 0441; 1359, it became a leading Italian city-state. In 1525 it was the scene of a decisive victory by the Holy Roman emperor Charles V over the French under Francis I , who was captured. It was active in the Risorgimento and joined the Kingdom of Italy in 1859. It still retains the ancient plan of the Roman fortified town, and medieval structures remain. The University of Pavia (founded 1361) is linked with the ancient law school, which dates to 825. Pavia is a centre of communications, agriculture, and industry.