[3] Many of the Arbëreshë Albanians of Italy live in the province, since arriving in the 16th century to flee the religious persecution undertaken by the Ottoman Empire.

[4] Cosenza began as a settlement of the Italic Bruttii tribe, and became their capital before the Romans invaded the area.

Starting from the 8th century BC, the current provincial area became part of the so-called Greater Greece.

Greek cities, including Sibari and Pandosia, were mostly located on the coastal area and at the foot of the Pollino massif.

Later Cosenza fell under the rule of the Byzantine Empire for a brief period of time, before being conquered by the Lombards, as part of the Duchy of Benevento.