Lago (Laghitano: ) is a comune in the province of Cosenza, Calabria, in southern Italy. It is located 42 kilometers from the city of Cosenza. Geography and topography Lago is located in the mountainous interior of the Cosenza Province, near the slopes of Monte Cocuzzo. Despite being sited in mountainous territory, the higher elevations of the city offer views of the nearby coastline, including Stromboli. It regularly snows in Lago in the winter. History Prehistory and ancient era The pre-historic tribe living in Cosenza called themselves the "Itali" and it was from them where Italy drew its name. They called their land, "Viteliu," which means "land of the life-giving calf." Around 500 B.C., these Italic tribes were conquered by and merged into another Italic tribe called the Bretti (Latin Brutti), who named their country "Brettiōn." They were a rebellious offshoot of the Lucanians, and their name may mean "renegades." They spoke Oscan, and named Cosenza (then called "Consentia") as their capital. Around 300 B.C. the region was at its apex of power and culture. Its position – near the Greek and Carthaginian ports, home to a conquering tribe of Lucanians and Brettians, and with decent relations with Rome and the Etruscan cities, meant that it enjoyed great wealth. The Bretti minted elaborate coins, which are sought-after by collectors. The Bretti and Lucanians were stubborn resistors of Greek culture. Greeks had colonized the coastal cities of Sicily and Southern Italy, but the Bretti and Lucanians refused to yield. Alexander the Great's uncle, Alexander of Epirus invaded Cosenza in 331 B.C. In a battle near Lago, the combined native force defeated his army and killed him. The Bretti declined in power precipitously after making bad choices against the Roman Republic. After they sided with Hannibal in the Second Punic War, Rome confiscated half of their territory, and insisted on the right to clear cut their forests, which ended up supplying the timber and pitch for Roman fleets. Rome began settling the families of veteran soldiers in the Cosenza area. Roman colonies were located around Lago in what is now Campora San Giovanni (Amantea), 10 miles from Lago, in 194 B.C., and also in Figline Vegliaturo, San Lucido, and Cosenza. In addition, much the neighboring territory of Amantea proper was given to the Roman people as public land – anyone could homestead there and grow crops. Finally, the Romans also likely located a