Potenza (ancient Potentia), city, southern Italy, capital of Potenza Province and of Basilicata Region. Located in the Apennines, Potenza is a commercial center for the surrounding agricultural region. Manufactures include processed food and machinery. A noted archaeological museum is here. Founded by the Romans in the 2nd century BC, Potenza passed to the Lombards in the 6th century AD. The city had destructive earthquakes in 1273 and 1857. It was the first city in southern Italy to expel (1860) the Bourbon rulers of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Population (1997 estimate) 68,801.