ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Timeline of Naples history

Okay kiddo, let me try to explain the timeline of Naples history to you.

Once upon a time, a long long time ago, in the 8th century BC, the Greeks came to a place in Italy called Cumae, which is near modern-day Naples. They liked it so much that they decided to stick around and make a colony there. That colony became known as Neapolis, which means "new city".

Neapolis thrived for many years, but then in the 3rd century BC, it was taken over by the Romans. The Romans liked Neapolis too, and they made it a very important port city. This meant that lots of people came to Naples, and it became a wealthy and powerful city.

As time went on, Naples continued to be important. It was ruled by different people - sometimes the Byzantine Empire, sometimes the Normans - but it always remained an important trading center. In the 13th century, Naples became part of the Kingdom of Sicily, which was ruled by a king named Charles of Anjou.

In the 16th century, Naples became part of the Spanish Empire. This was a big deal, because Spain was a very powerful country at the time. Naples continued to be an important city, with lots of artists and writers living there. It was also home to some very fancy buildings, like the Royal Palace and the Teatro di San Carlo (which is still there today!).

In the 19th century, Naples became part of Italy. This meant that it was no longer ruled by foreigners, but by Italian people. However, life in Naples was still pretty tough for most people. Many people were poor, and there were lots of health problems too.

Despite these challenges, Naples continued to grow and change. Today, it is a bustling city with lots of different neighborhoods, each with its own personality. People still come from all over the world to visit Naples, and to taste its famous pizza and other delicious foods. And that, my little friend, is the story of Naples' history.