Archeological remains and artifacts of ancient Metapontum at the National Archaeological Museum in Metaponto, Italy

Archeological remains and artifacts of ancient Metapontum at the National Archaeological Museum in Metaponto, Italy.
Founded around the 8th century BCE, Metapontum was a Greek colony that became quite prosperous due to its fertile soil. During the Peloponnesian War, the Metapontines, after a short period of neutrality, eventually declared support for Athens and furnished a small auxiliary force that served under Demosthenes and Eurymedon. It also supported Alexander, king of Epirus, when he crossed over to Italy to wage war against the Lucanians and Brutians in 332 BCE. But, they opposed Cleonymus of Sparta in 303 BCE and ended up paying a heavy tribute after he suborned the colony. During the Pyrrhic War they lent active support to Pyrrhus and during the Second Punic War they were among the first of the cities of Magna Graecia to declare in favor of Hannibal after the battle of Cannae. But the city was occupied by the Romans until 212 BCE. Then Hannibal occupied the city until the battle of the Metaurus. Hannibal eventually withdrew from the city in 207 BCE. Metapontum never again achieved the level of prosperity it once enjoyed. Cicero mentions visiting the town in the 1st century BCE even though Cicero says most of the cities of Magna Graecia were in almost complete decay by then. The 2nd century CE geographer Pausanias described it as only ruins by his day, though. Artifacts on display include ceramics, sculpture, architectural elements, jewelry, cons, funerary monuments, and votive objects. The remains of several Greek temples including the Temple of Hera and a theater stand nearby.


Image: Victory wreath on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Metaponto courtesy of Trip Advisor contributor Hevosella.

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