743: Rhegium founded as Euboean vassal - Scroll Down for more details

The Founding of Rhegium (743 BCE) - A Euboean Outpost in Magna Graecia

Introduction

In 743 BCE, the Greek colony of Rhegium (modern-day Reggio Calabria, Italy) was established on the strategic Strait of Messina, facing the island of Sicily. Founded by Euboean Greeks, particularly settlers from Chalcis, Rhegium became a key outpost in the early wave of Greek colonization in Magna Graecia (Greater Greece).

The Euboean Connection

The Euboeans, from the island of Euboea in central Greece, were among the most active Greek colonizers in the 8th century BCE. They had already founded Pithecusae (Ischia) and Cumae in Italy, making them pioneers in westward expansion. Rhegium was likely established as a sub-colony under the influence of Zancle (later Messina), another Euboean settlement in Sicily.

Reasons for Colonization

1. Trade {content}amp; Resources - Southern Italy and Sicily offered fertile land, metals, and access to trade routes with the Etruscans and other Italic peoples.
   
2. Overpopulation {content}amp; Land Hunger - Like many Greek city-states, Chalcis faced pressure from population growth, leading to emigration.
   
3. Strategic Position - Rhegium controlled the narrow Strait of Messina, a crucial maritime passage between the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas.

The Role of the Oracle of Delphi

According to tradition, the colonists consulted the Oracle of Delphi before founding Rhegium. The oracle reportedly advised them to settle where they saw a vine growing wild—a sign of fertile land. This myth reflects the Greek practice of seeking divine approval for new colonies.

Early History {content}amp; Development

• Rhegium became a prosperous city, known for its shipbuilding and trade.
  
• It maintained close ties with other Euboean colonies, particularly Zancle (Messina).
  
• Later, it allied with Athens during the Peloponnesian War (5th century BCE) and resisted threats from Syracuse and the Bruttians.

Later Significance

Rhegium remained an important Greek city for centuries, though it later fell under Roman control. Today, its legacy endures in the archaeological remains and cultural influence of Magna Graecia.

Conclusion

The founding of Rhegium in 743 BCE was part of the broader Greek colonization movement, driven by trade, expansion, and the search for new opportunities. As a Euboean vassal, it played a vital role in connecting Greek civilization with the western Mediterranean.

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