In classical times, Oria was known as Hyria (Uria) or Hyrium, one of the principal ancient Messapian cities.

[6] Bishop Theodosius deposited the relics of Saint Barsanuphius of Gaza in a chapel in the 880s close to the Porta degli Ebrei.

Latin chronicles report the massacre of the male population, Jewish texts lament the loss of scholars, and Arab sources boast of the rich booty.

Jewish scholarship in Oria included the study of philosophy, the Talmud, languages such as Greek and Latin, medicine and natural sciences.

It was home to Shefatya ben Amitai and Shabbethai Donnolo, two of the first Hebrew writers native to Europe.

Ten scholars in the community were killed when Arabs under Abu Ahmad Ja'far ibn 'Ubaid conquered Oria on July 4 925 CE.