The Founding of Metapontum (690 BCE) - An Achaean Outpost in Magna Graecia
Content:
In 690 BCE, the Greek colony of Metapontum (Greek: Metapontion) was established in southern Italy, part of the wave of Greek colonization that shaped the region known as Magna Graecia ("Greater Greece"). The city was founded by Achaean Greeks, likely under the leadership of settlers from the northern Peloponnese, and it served as a strategic vassal or dependency of the powerful Achaean city-states back in Greece, particularly Sybaris and Croton.
Historical Context:
- Greek Colonization Movement (8th-6th centuries BCE):
- Due to overpopulation, political strife, and the search for fertile land, Greek city-states sent out colonists across the Mediterranean. Southern Italy and Sicily became prime destinations.
- The Achaeans, originating from the northern Peloponnese, were active in founding colonies, including Sybaris (720 BCE) and Croton (710 BCE).
- Metapontum's Strategic Position:
- Located between the rivers Bradanus and Casuentus (modern Basento and Bradano), the colony controlled fertile plains ideal for agriculture, particularly grain cultivation.
- Its position also allowed trade connections with both Greek settlements and indigenous Italic peoples, such as the Oenotrians and later the Lucanians.
- Achaean Influence {content}amp; Political Ties:
- As an Achaean vassal, Metapontum likely maintained close political and cultural ties to its mother cities, possibly paying tribute or providing military support.
- The city later gained independence but remained part of the Achaean cultural sphere, adopting similar institutions and religious practices.
Mythological {content}amp; Historical Accounts:
- Some traditions link Metapontum's foundation to the hero Nestor of Pylos (from Homer's Iliad), though this is likely a later mythologized version.
- The colony may have been reinforced by exiles from Sybaris after its destruction in 510 BCE, further strengthening its Achaean identity.
Archaeological Evidence:
- Excavations reveal early Greek pottery and sanctuaries dedicated to Hera and Apollo, reflecting typical Achaean religious traditions.
- The city later became famous for its temples, including the Tavole Palatine (a Doric temple dedicated to Hera).
Later History:
- Metapontum thrived as an agricultural center, even minting coins with an ear of wheat as a symbol of its prosperity.
- It played a role in conflicts between Greeks, Italic tribes, and later Rome before declining in the Roman Republican era.
Conclusion:
The founding of Metapontum in 690 BCE was part of the broader Achaean expansion into Magna Graecia, establishing a key settlement that blended Greek culture with the resources of southern Italy. While its early years as an Achaean vassal are not extensively documented, its later prominence suggests a successful and strategically vital colony.
(Note: Some details remain debated due to limited ancient sources, but archaeological findings support the general historical outline.)