Naples, a city in Southern Italy, is one of the oldest cities in the world to be inhabited continually. It was founded by the Greeks in 9th century BC as a Greek colony, and today has a population of 3-4 million, the number is disputed. Even with the lower number, Naples is the most densely populated city in Italy with roughly 8,000 people per square kilometer.
On this day February 22nd, in 1495, King Charles VIII of France conquers Naples with 25,000 troops. He overthrew Alfonso II from the throne and usurped it himself. Alfonso’s kingship was shortlived, as he had been put on the throne January 25th , in 1494, but even before Alfonso II had been put on the throne, it was well known that King Charles VIII’s invasion was pending.
King Charles VIII’s successful takeover of Naples was part of the larger Italian Wars, also referred to as the Habsburg-Valois Wars. King Charles VIII was from the family of Valois, and he was the last member of the House of Valois to be King of France. Conquering Naples was one of Charles VIII’s many conquests, as he revolutionized weaponry and built a massive French army.