{"id":36950,"date":"2022-02-24T01:02:24","date_gmt":"2022-02-24T01:02:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yourtraveltocalabria.com\/?p=36950"},"modified":"2022-02-24T01:02:24","modified_gmt":"2022-02-24T01:02:24","slug":"greeks-and-calabria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yourtraveltocalabria.com\/greeks-and-calabria\/","title":{"rendered":"How Greeks and Calabria are connected?"},"content":{"rendered":"

How Greeks and Calabria are connected?<\/h2>\n

The Calabrian and Greek histories are mixed in their origins, many years ago. The Greeks played a fundamental role in the formation of this territory and until today it is possible to perceive their influences in the cities of Calabria. Let’s get to our post, How Greeks and Calabria are connected? Come with me to discover some of this history! Here at\u00a0Traveling to Calabria<\/strong><\/a> you make the trip of your dreams!!!\u00a0Are you staying in Calabria?<\/strong>\u00a0LOOKING FOR A HOTEL IN CALABRIA? Check our suggestions!\u00a0Click here!<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Our Introduction<\/h3>\n

Before we get started, how about a little history and background<\/strong>?<\/span><\/p>\n

Greece has a mountainous territory, so there are few flat areas, favorable for agriculture, so its main source of income was fishing. This particularity made its inhabitants settle in the valleys and in the flatter areas. The primitive name of this territory was actually \u201cHelenes\u201d, but later the Romans called them Greeks and the area they occupied was consequently called Greece.<\/span><\/p>\n

The different peoples<\/span><\/h3>\n

Something that we need to highlight is that, within that same territory, there were different populations<\/strong>, which had the most diverse characteristics – some stronger in terms of warfare and with more prepared warriors and another more focused on the commercial aspect and in other professions, more linked to art, literature and philosophy.<\/span><\/p>\n

The colonies<\/span><\/h3>\n

As Greece grew and its population increased, of course it became imperative to start exploring other places<\/strong>, beyond the already established borders. The Greeks were now convinced that only commercial activity would offer the possibility of getting out of that state of want and poverty, so they started to head towards the coasts of present-day Calabria and Sicily.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was thus, based on the need for survival, that the colonies of Calabria<\/strong><\/a> began to emerge.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are colonies?<\/span><\/h5>\n

The colony was a city founded by the so-called Greek colonists<\/strong>, strayed from the original State, so it did not organize, administer or organize the new colonies \u2013 that is, they were autonomous. Almost always, due to the competitive characteristics of these powers and the resistance of the local populations, the establishment of the colony took place through the intervention of military forces.<\/span><\/p>\n

As part of their autonomy, colonies could have their own laws and judges and establish a new form of government<\/strong>, even if they were sometimes indirectly affected by political influences from Greece.<\/span><\/p>\n

Magna Graecia<\/span><\/h3>\n

We can say that the Greek colonization of the Calabrian territory, and of Italy as a whole, began in the 7th century BC. called Magna Graecia.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

This denomination does not mean “great” in the sense of superior to Greece itself, but with a more religious meaning<\/strong>: Magna Graecia had Templar structures superior to those of original Greece – we can mention as an example the beautiful Temple of Hera<\/strong>, in Crotone<\/strong><\/a>, which it was a pilgrimage destination for the entire Greek world.<\/span><\/p>\n

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1) How Greeks and Calabria are connected? SIBARI<\/h3>\n

Now that you have a historical background, let’s talk about the most important Greek colonies in Calabria?<\/strong> Remembering that they are not the only ones!<\/p>\n

We start with Sybaris or S\u00edbari<\/a><\/strong>. Founded by the Greeks around 720 BC<\/strong>, when they arrived in the territory they named the two rivers that surround the city as Sybaris and Crathis<\/strong>, to remember two rivers from their cities of origin.<\/p>\n

According to legend, these rivers were miraculous<\/strong>, with healing abilities, and it was said that whoever bathed in the Crati River, whether man or animal, in its waters, came out with blond hair, while whoever entered the Sibaris River, assumed dark hair.<\/p>\n

The main sources of wealth<\/strong> in Sibari were the production and export of oil<\/strong>, wheat and wine and the breeding of horses. Ceramics<\/strong> and precious fabrics were also traded. It was a relatively wealthy city and, thanks to the silver mines present in the area between Corigliano<\/strong><\/a> and Longobucco<\/strong><\/a>, it minted the first coins in the first half of the 6th century, even before Athens.<\/span><\/p>\n

D<\/span>ue to wars and conflicts<\/strong>, the city was refounded with the name of Thurii<\/strong> in 446<\/strong> BC. Its <\/span>planning was entrusted to Hippodamus of Miletus<\/strong>, who had already designed the city of Rhodes and Piraeus in Athens.<\/span><\/p>\n

An ally of Athens in the war against Syracuse, it was attacked by the Syracusan allies, the Lucani, in 389<\/strong> BC<\/strong> and was partially destroyed. During this period, it was dominated by the Romans<\/strong>, when it took the name of Copia<\/strong>, which means abundance, due to the prosperity of the region. Today, in the Archaeological Park of Sibari<\/strong><\/a>, it is possible to see the remains of the three cities: Sibari achea, Thurii and Thurii-Copia<\/strong>. It is definitely worth your visit!<\/span><\/p>\n

2) How Greeks and Calabria are connected? CROTONE<\/span><\/h3>\n

Crotone<\/strong><\/a>, or Kroton<\/strong>, was founded in 734 \u2013 709 BC. History tells that Myskellos led the expedition to the place indicated by the Oracle of Delphi \u2013 by the way, the Delphi tripod is reported on the first coins of Kroton.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was here that the philosopher<\/strong> Pythagoras<\/strong> of Samos founded<\/strong> the<\/strong> Pythagorean<\/strong> school<\/strong>. In a short time, Crotone became more powerful than Sybaris and managed to destroy it in 510 BC.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Pythagorean school played a central<\/strong> role<\/strong> in the development of the Colony. The Pythagoreans advocated constant care of the body, which was seen as the vessel of the soul<\/strong>. This vision has led to the emergence of exceptional gyms and athletes,<\/strong> such as Milone di Kroton, a multiple-time Olympic winner.<\/span><\/p>\n

Temples and cults<\/span><\/h4>\n

The cult of Apollo<\/strong>, linked to the foundation of the city, was also quite strong, but it did not surpass the cult of Hera, to whom the Temple on the promontory of Lacinius was dedicated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hera<\/strong> was also revered as the patron goddess of weddings<\/strong>, which caused girls in the region to donate fine, elegant clothes to the Goddess. She was also the protector<\/strong> of animals<\/strong>, and around the Temple there was a forest in which free animals of all kinds lived.<\/span><\/p>\n

The excavations carried out by Paolo<\/strong> Orsi<\/strong> in the region evidenced the existence of several ancient temples and sacred monuments, as well as uncovered several artifacts, such as the head of a deity, a golden diadem and several fine bronzes.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you go to Crotone, be sure to visit\u2026<\/span><\/h4>\n