Praeneste

Location of Praeneste: In ancient Italy, about 37 km or 23 miles ESE of Rome, facing the Alban Hills, sat the Latin city of Praeneste (modern Palestrina), from at least the 5th century B.C., with remains dating to the late Bronze Age.

History of Praeneste: Praeneste was attacked by the Aequi and perhaps overrun by them in the beginning of the 5th century [Cornell]. Cornell says Praeneste may have defected from the Latin League in the 5th century. During the mid-4th century Latin War this neighbor of Rome fought on the Latin side against Rome. Praeneste surrendered and made a separate agreement with Rome at the end of the war. [See Roman Treaties.]

Status of Praeneste: It lost territory and received lower status than cities in the Latin League, only becoming a Roman municipium around 90 B.C. Then, because of the Roman conflict between Sulla and Marius, Praeneste, on Marius' side, was sacked by Sulla in 82. During the period of the Roman Empire, Praeneste was a colonia.

Praeneste's Claim to Fame: Praeneste's importance lay in its oracle in the large temple of Fortuna Primigenia.

Sources:
Edward Togo Salmon, T. W. Potter "Praeneste" The Oxford Classical Dictionary.
The Beginnings of Rome, by Cornell