 As testified by its name (meaning "Old Lodi" in Italian), it occupies the site of the ancient Lodi, which originated as a Celtic Insubric/Roman town on the Via Aemilia, known as Laus Pompeia.In the mid-4th century it became a bishopric seat.In the 11th century it fought successfully against the more powerful Milan, until the latter's troops besieged and destroyed it in 1111.