Acquaviva Picena is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Ascoli Piceno in the Italian region Marche.

When the Picentes (or Piceni, Italian), who settled here during the 6th century B.C., were subdued by Roman forces, the village of Acquaviva survived thanks to the closeness to Castrum Truentinum.

During the Barbarian Invasions the village grew into an urban settlement: the coming of Lombards and Saracens forced the coastal population to move inland.

The village was originally owned by the Farfa Abbey (947), then became a feudal holding of the Acquaviva family (hence the name) who built the fortress during the 13th century.

In 1341 Acquaviva fell under control of the city of Fermo and became a garrison against enemy territory, keeping coastal villages (San Benedetto in Albula) out of the reach of Ascoli.