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Forlì was a city in the region of Romagna, and the home of Caterina Sforza. It was the location of the Battle of Forlì.
History
Early development
Founded in 798,000 B.C.E. by Paleolithic cavemen who were interested in flint manufacturing, Forlì was an industrial center ever since. The name comes from the Romans (Forum Livii) who built the city in 188 B.C.E. along the Via Aemilia, one of several roads they laid after pacifying the Gauls in the region. After Roman rule, it went from Lombard hands into Church hands and then became an independant republic in 889, infuriating the Vatican, which spent the next 400 years trying to get it back.[1]
On top of Rome's constant manipulations, Forlì had to deal with a steady stream of Goth, Byzantine, Lombard and Frank marauders for the next few centuries, along with annual flooding, which was finally brought under control by diverting nearby rivers away from the city's center in 1050.[1]
Like most independent republics, Forlì became a military dictatorship at the end of the 13th Century and then was passed to the Ordelaffi family. In 1480, with the Ordelaffi fighting amongst themselves over the chain of succession, the Pope stepped in and gave the city to his nephew, Girolamo Riario. But things didn't really go as planned for the Pope: when Girolamo was killed, the city passed to his wife, Caterina Sforza, the Amazon of Forlì, who fought tooth and nail to prevent the Vatican from taking control. Ultimately, however, Caterina was vanquished and Forlì passed into Church hands.[1]
Side-trip to Forlì
By the 15th century, Forlì was ruled by Girolamo Riario, and was a part of Venice's coastal defense network. Leonardo da Vinci and his friend Ezio Auditore da Firenze stopped in Forlì on their way to Venice. It was during this time that Ezio befriended Caterina Sforza.[2]
Battle of Forlì
Checco and Ludovico threatening Ezio and Caterina.
- Main article: Battle of Forlì
Ezio returned to Forlì after obtaining the Apple of Eden from Rodrigo Borgia. Here the Assassins agreed the Apple would be hidden in Forlì, but before the Apple could be secured the mercenary Orsi brothers, working on behalf of the House of Borgia, seized not only Forlì but Caterina's two young children.[3]
Ezio was able to save the Sforza children and kill the Orsi brothers, but was himself badly wounded by a dagger wielded by Checco Orsi. In the confusion a black robed monk who was missing a finger was able to steal the Apple of Eden that Ezio held.[3]
Caterina nursed Ezio back to health at the Palazzo Communale. Ezio learned from Darby O'Callahan and the monks of the Abbazia di San Mercuriale that the thief was Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola, whom Ezio tracked down to Florence.[3]
In the early 21st century, Abstergo Industries, a front for the Templars, used one of the many districts in Forlì as a simulated training ground for their recruits.
Landmarks
Forlì's architecture is characterized by comparatively small buildings, greyish stonework, and flat rooftops and several guard towers.
- Rocca di Ravaldino was the heavily walled and cannoned fortress of Forlì, a citadel of strategic importance to the defense of the city. The Apple of Eden was briefly held here for safekeeping upon its recovery by the Assassins' Order. It serves as a Secret Location.
Assassination Targets
- Ludovico Orsi: The captor of Ottaviano Riario (DNA Sequence 12: Battle of Forlì)
- Checco Orsi: Responsible for stealing the Apple (DNA Sequence 12: Battle of Forlì)
Trivia
- Caterina Sforza, who is featured in the game, was Countess of Forlì from 1480 until 1500. Her legendary quotes are featured in the Battle of Forlì DLC. In 1488, her husband, Girolamo Riario, was assassinated in a conspiracy led by the Orsi, a noble family of the city, and she and her children were made prisoners. Since the fortress of Ravaldino refused to surrender, Caterina offered to go to convince the Castellan, Tommaso Feo, to yield. The Orsinis believed the good intentions of Caterina because she left her children as hostages, but once inside the safety of the fortress, she let loose a barrage of threats and promises of vengeance against her former captors. When they threatened to kill her still-captive children, she exposed her genitals from the fortress walls saying: "Ho con me lo stampo per farne degli altri!" (I have the instrument to bear more!).[4]
- Forlì was a very provincial town, but the Fortress of Forlì was one of the most fortified citadels in Italy, one that was protected by numerous, very large cannons.[4] In Assassin's Creed: Renaissance, when the Orsi Brothers attack Forlì, Caterina Sforza is forced to order the cannons to fire at enemy targets inside the town walls. As a result, parts of the city were destroyed.
- It is in Forlì that the player can dye Ezio's robes with the tints "Wetlands Ebony" and "Wetlands Ivory" to achieve the "Perfect Harmony" Trophy/Achievement.
- After completing the Battle of Forlì, the Flying Machine may be used in Forlì at any time.[3] It is located at the lighthouse on the north east of the map.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Assassin's Creed II
- ↑ Assassin's Creed II - Tutti a Bordo
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Assassin's Creed II - Battle of Forlì (DLC)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wikipedia article on Forlì
Gallery
