---
title: Metapontum
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Metapontum/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Metapontum
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
Metapontum, located on the southern coast of Basilicata, [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/), was an Achaean colony founded in the late 8th century BCE. Thriving on [agriculture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Agriculture/) and [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/), the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) became one of the most prosperous colonies in [Magna Graecia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magna_Graecia/). Today, the best surviving evidence of Metapontum's importance in antiquity is the 6th century BCE [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) of [Hera](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hera/) with 15 of its Doric columns still standing.
### Historical Overview
**Foundation**
Metapontum ([Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/): Metapontion, modern name: Metaponto) is located on a fertile plain which stretches along the southern coastline of the Basilicata region of southern Italy. The city, situated at the mouths of the Bradano and Basento Rivers, was founded by the Achaeans of the Greek [Peloponnese](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnese/) c. 720 BCE as part of the wave of [Greek colonization](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Colonization/) from the 8th century BCE onwards across the entire region of southern Italy. Archaeological evidence points to the presence on the site of an earlier Italian town which then displays evidence of [Greek culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Greek_Culture/). A fully-Greek settlement seems to date from c. 630 BCE.
**A Thriving City**
Metapontum, along with such local rivals as [Tarentum](https://www.worldhistory.org/tarentum/) (modern Taranto) and Siris (modern Nova Siri), became one of the most prosperous [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) in the region which would become known as Magna Graecia. Controlling an extensive area of the lands around the city - some 200 km2 - the success of the colony was largely based on agriculture, fishing and horse-breeding and is attested by the extensive and regular divisions of land in the area with over 850 accompanying small farms which were used over several generations. It is not known if such farmsteads were inhabited all year round or inhabited only during the growing season and then used as storehouses. The average plot of land at Metapontum measures 9 hectares which is larger than the 5 hectares needed to support a single family in the ancient [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) and perhaps indicative of the greater space available in the Greek colonies and so their attraction for emigrants from the homeland.
[  Metapontum Silver Stater Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/829/metapontum-silver-stater/ "Metapontum Silver Stater")The wealth and trade conducted by Metapontum are further evidenced by the minting of [coinage](https://www.worldhistory.org/coinage/), which was stamped with an ear of wheat in recognition of the city's debt to agriculture, the presence of dedicated areas of workshops, and the numerous dedications made at Panhellenic sites such as [Olympia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Olympia/), where the city had a treasury building, and [Delphi](https://www.worldhistory.org/delphi/). The city proper covered around 150 hectares (370 acres) and had several main roads with the largest measuring 22 metres in width. The city was protected by an encircling fortification [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/). One notable resident was the philosopher and mathematician [Pythagoras](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pythagoras/) (c. 571- c. 497 BCE) who spent the latter part of his life at Metapontum.
Metapontum would eventually destroy Siris and go on to play an important role in the political and military events of the 5th century BCE, notably supporting the Athenian expeditions against [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/) and on the Italian mainland. According to [Thucydides](https://www.worldhistory.org/Thucydides/) in his *[Peloponnesian War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_War/)* (7.33.5) they provided 300 darters and two triremes. At the same time, an ominous threat arrived with the founding of a new rival for resources in 433 BCE in the form of [Herakleia](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Herakleia/) to the west.
[  Temple of Hera, Metapontum Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7026/temple-of-hera-metapontum/ "Temple of Hera, Metapontum")**Decline**
Metapontum's fortunes declined in the 4th century BCE and the city was defeated by Dionysius I of [Syracuse](https://www.worldhistory.org/syracuse/) in 390 BCE. The rise of the central Italian tribes also threatened the city's position as a trading centre on the Gulf of Tarentum with the Lucanians attacking and briefly controlling the city in the middle of the same century. Weakened, Metapontum was forced to seek safety in an alliance with longtime rival Tarentum and so became a member of the Italiote League of Greek cities. Metapontum supported the Molossian king [Alexander](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Alexander/) I of Epirus when he attacked Italy and opposed [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) during the Pyrrhic Wars (280-275 BCE). Becoming an ally of Rome shortly afterwards with a [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) *castrum* or army camp established near the [agora](https://www.worldhistory.org/agora/), the city nevertheless switched allegiances once again in 212 BCE when [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/) invaded southern Italy. The city hosted a Carthaginian garrison and provided corn and winter quarters for Hannibal's army, remaining loyal until the general's return to [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/).
During the 3rd century BCE the city was greatly reduced in size and large parts were abandoned as Metapontum returned to a more agricultural [economy](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/economy/) with the town leading a quiet existence as a Roman *municipium* for another century. The city suffered during the [Spartacus](https://www.worldhistory.org/spartacus/)-led slave rebellion of the 1st century BCE and the demise of its irrigation system meant that the area returned to swamp lands prone to outbreaks of malaria. Metapontum's once fine buildings were abandoned or reused for more modest farm dwellings, a Christian basilica was built in the 3rd century CE and, despite occupation into the 7th century CE, the city disappears from the historical record for two millennia.
[  Theatre, Metapontum Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7027/theatre-metapontum/theatre-metapontum/ "Theatre, Metapontum")### Archaeological Remains
Like much of southern Italy, there are but few traces of Metapontum's great Greek past remaining today. Aside from the lasting legacy of olive and vine cultivation, only one temple still stands as testimony to the city's lost prosperity. The sanctuary of Hera, also known as the Palatine Tables (*Tavole* *Palatine*), lies a few kilometres northeast of Metapontum on the road to Taranto (which largely follows the ancient roadway) and boasts the most impressive example of [Greek architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Architecture/) in the region, the Temple of Hera. This 6th century BCE Doric temple once had 6 x 12 columns, 15 of which are still standing.
In Metapontum itself there are the remains of the temples and buildings which stood in the central sanctuary complex. The earliest date to 580-570 BCE and included five temples (dedicated to Hera, [Athena](https://www.worldhistory.org/athena/), [Artemis](https://www.worldhistory.org/artemis/) and [Apollo](https://www.worldhistory.org/apollo/)) and an *ekklesiasterion* or assembly place just to the side. A [theatre](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/theatre/) was built over the assembly place in the 5th century BCE which had half columns and a Doric frieze. The theatre was remodelled again in the mid-4th century BCE and in its current form measured 62 metres at its widest part and could seat some 8,000 people.
[  Ionic Temple, Metapontum Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/7028/ionic-temple-metapontum/ "Ionic Temple, Metapontum")The second major phase of construction was carried out between 570 and 530 BCE which included the erection of the Temple of Hera. This large Doric temple once had 8x17 columns, several drums and capitals of which have been re-erected at the archaeological site today. A third important temple, this time of the Ionic order, was built between 480 and 470 BCE. Dedicated to an unknown deity, it stood on the site of an earlier temple dedicated to Artemis and once had 8x20 columns. Impressive capitals remain in situ which are richly decorated with swirls and swastikas. The building was unlike any in mainland [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) and is further evidence that the colonies of ancient Greece went on their own road of political and artistic development to become fully independent and influential cities in their own right.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Bagnall, N. *The Punic Wars.* Thomas Dunne Books, 2005.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0312342144/)
- Bagnall, R. *The Encyclopedia of Ancient History.* Wiley-Blackwell, 2012
- Bruni, P. *Basilicata Historico-Artistic Guide.* Capone Editore, 2002
- [Hornblower, S. *The Oxford Classical Dictionary.* Oxford University Press, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199545561/)
- [Hoyos, D. *A Companion to the Punic Wars.* Wiley-Blackwell, 2015.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1119025508/)
- [Kinzl, K.H. *A Companion to the Classical Greek World.* Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1444334123/)
- [Steinby, C. *Rome Versus Carthage.* Pen and Sword, 2014.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1844159191/)
- [Thucydides. *The Landmark Thucydides.* Free Press, 1998.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0684827905/)
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Timeline
- **720 BCE**: [Metapontum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Metapontum/) in [Magna Graecia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magna_Graecia/) is found by Achaeans.
- **570 BCE - 530 BCE**: The Doric [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) of [Hera](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hera/) is built at [Metapontum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Metapontum/), [Magna Graecia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magna_Graecia/).
- **480 BCE - 470 BCE**: An Ionic [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) is built at [Metapontum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Metapontum/) of unknown dedication.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2017, August 22). Metapontum. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Metapontum." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 22, 2017. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Metapontum." *World History Encyclopedia*, 22 Aug 2017, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 22 August 2017. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.