Andrea Matteo Acquaviva d'Aragona III 8th Duke of Atri, was the elder surviving son of Giulio Antonio Acquaviva I and his wife Caterina Orsini del Balzo. He fought for King Ferrante of Naples in the War of Ferrara in 1482; and against him three years later during the Conspiracy of the Barons. Upon the defeat of the conspirators, Duke Andrea was spared due to the intervention of his father-in-law, Antonio Piccolomini, who happened to be the King's son-in-law. Andrea Matteo left the Duchy of Atri to his eldest son Giovan Francesco, the county of Gioia to his second son Giannantonio Donato, and the county of Conversano and the fiefdoms of the Ratta in Caserta to his son Giulio Antonio II.