Paestum

Paestum was a major ancient Greek city on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea in Magna Graecia. After its foundation by Greek colonists under the name of Poseidonia (Ancient Greek: Ποσειδωνία) it was eventually conquered by the Lucanians and later the Romans. The Lucanians renamed it to Paistos and the Romans gave the city its current name. As Pesto or Paestum, the medieval town became a bishopric, which is now a Latin Catholic titular see

The ruins of Paestum are notable for their three ancient Greek temples which are in a very good state of preservation. Today the remains of the city are found in the modern frazione of the same name, which is part of the comune of Capaccio in the Province of Salerno, Campania, Italy.

History

Foundation

According to Strabo the city was founded as Poseidonia (named after the Greek god of the sea) by Greek Achaeans from Sybaris. The colonists had built fortifications close to the sea, but then decided to found the city further inland at a higher elevation. The fortifications might have been built to the south of Poseidonia on the promontory where Agropoli is now. According to the historical tradition the sanctuary to Poseidon was located there, after which the city would have been named. The date of Poseidonia's founding is not given by ancient sources, but the archaeological evidence gives a date of approximately 600 BC.

Paestum (frazione)

Paestum (Italian: [ˈpɛstum]) is a frazione of the comune (municipality) of Capaccio in Italy. It lies in the province of Salerno which is part of the region of Campania. It is situated on the Tyrrhenian coast and is notable for the ruins of the ancient city of the same name nearby.

Overview

Paestum can be reached by the road linking Agropoli to Battipaglia. The village also has a railway station on the Naples-Salerno-Reggio Calabria railway line. The nearest airport is Salerno-Pontecagnano (QSR), 30 km from Paestum.

See also

References

External links

Media related to Paestum at Wikimedia Commons