ancient Potentia City (pop., 2001 prelim.: 69,295), capital of the Basilicata region, southern Italy. Located at 2,684 ft (819 m) above sea level in the Apennines, the Roman city Potentia was founded in the 2nd century BC and became an important road junction and flourishing community. In medieval times it had a succession of feudal overlords. In 1860 it was the first town in southern Italy to expel the Bourbon rulers of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The town has been rebuilt several times after earthquake damage. It is an agricultural centre and ships fruit and vegetables