Aquino

Aquino: Church of Santa Maria della Libera

Aquino, ancient (Latin) Aquinum, town, Lazio regione, south-central Italy, southeast of Frosinone city. The ancient town (the site of which is nearby) prospered from its position on the Roman road, Via Latina, until it was laid waste by Totila, a Gothic king, in the mid-6th century and abandoned for the more fertile present site. During the feudal struggles Riccardo, count of Acerra and uncle of St. Thomas Aquinas, was an important figure there. Roman ruins at the site include a temple, an amphitheatre, and a triumphal arch supposed to honour the general and triumvir Mark Antony. Aquino is on the railway between Rome and Naples, and agriculture is the chief occupation. There is a sulfur and iron spring. Pop. (2006 est.) mun., 5,314.