Department of History and Archaeology

The apoikia of Metaponto

The ancient city of Metapontum (It. Metaponto), part of ancient Lucania, was located in the eastern part of Southern Italy facing the Gulf of Taranto, in today’s region of Basilicata. It was one of the distinct cities, part of Magna Graecia, with specific archaeological traits.  Assumingly, Achaean colonists urged by the neighboring Sybaris in an attempt to dissuade Tara’s expansion, they founded the city of Metaponto in the early 7^th BCE. Between 6^th and late 5^th BCE, the city of Metaponto met its heyday, before its gradual decline since the 4^th BCE up until the city’s abandonment by the Carthaginians in the face of Roman retribution during the 3^rd BCE. 

The apoikia of Metaponto as was placed between the rivers of Bradano and Basento, grew particularly wealthy – cutting its own coinage – due to its prominent position on trading routes that connected the inland Chora with maritime commercial networks; and, more importantly, its fertile and rich countryside which included a plethora of farms. It was in Metaponto that Pythagoras following the destruction of Croton found refuge until his death, as well as Pythagorean philosophy flourished for years since.

Archaeological Context

Archaeological evidence confirms the importance of the city. Adopting since its early days a relatively rectangular urban organization, it consisted of wide streets intersected by narrower alleys (stenopos) thus forming urban squares;  the foundation of ceramic workshops giving important findings of red-shaped pottery; and the provision, since the city’s earlier phases, for public spaces, i.e. a religious center consisting of four temples (Temple of Apollo Lykeios, Temple of Hera, various altars and shrines), and public spaces (ekklesiasterion – theatre, agora). Sanctuaries, pottery workshops, residential remains and cemeteries were located in the hinterland of the city, with the Archaic extra-urban sanctuary, probably dedicated to Hera, in the area known as Tavole Palatine, being an important archaeological site of interest.        

The wide public spaces of Metaponto have been extensively studied since at least the 1960s. Similar investigations are still being carried out in the city’s countryside (Chora) unearthing significant archaeological evidence and considering the contact between apoikia and local populations; exploring, consequently, the character of the Greek settlement in the area. However, while the religious and public centers have been systematically investigated, the residential sector, although known for its size and its rectangular planning, it remains unknown in terms of residential organization (residential districts), building structure and decoration.