SCOLACIUM
Facing the homonymous gulf of the Jonica coast, is where
one will come across the Squillace Archaeological
Park, a well preserved site rich in history and art.
History
Legend would have one believe its foundation by the name
of Skyllétion of Ulysses or Menesteo, following the
destruction of Troy. History states its foundation by Athens
or the Calcidesi.
Skyllétion quickly entered in the orbit of the Greek
colony of Cróton, following its historical destiny.
It was then taken by Dioniso I (387 BC), the tyrant of Siracusa,
who annexed it to his ally Locri.
In the IV century, it entered as part of the Bruzi dominion;
an Italic population of shepherds and warriors, who had Cosenza
as its administrative centre.
After the ephemeral attempt of the Greek Agathocles (299 BC)
to conquer Calabria and Sicily, events followed which were
linked to the war between Rome and Taranto, and the consequent
wars with Pirro (280-275 BC), which left a large part of the
South to the Republic of Rome.
During the Second Punic War, it probably supported Hannibal,
as did other Greek cities in the desperate attempt to resist
the Romans. Following abandonment of the Carthaginian general
from Italy (203 BC), the centre became a Roman colony by the
name of Scolacium.
During the Imperial era, the centre continued to prosper,
then during the IV century became an Episcopal seat.
Flavio Aurelio Magno Cassiodoro, the first minister of Emperor
Teodorico and the Ostrogoth Vitige, was born here (490-583
BC). At the end of his career as first minister, he returned
to Scolacium and founded Vivarium and Castellense. The first
was a centre of study and a library which was considered the
first university of Europe. The second was a centre of study
and instruction in agriculture.
The City was abandoned due to clashes linked to the Greek-Gothic
War (535-553 BC) and frequent Longobard (VI century) and Saracen
raids (VIII century). It was only restored to history by archaeological
digs carried out by Ermanno Arslan during the '900s.
A visit to the Archaeological Park
The Archaeological Park is positioned in the Roccelletta
locality and preserves monuments and finds predominantly from
the Roman era. The Amphitheatre and the Theatre (I century
AD) are noteworthy. Some parts of the aqueducts, roads, mausolea
and tombs in general from Terme and Basilica are still visible
today.
Place of interest
- Parco Archeologico di Scolacium
- Antiquarium del Parco Archeologico
- Abbazia di S. Maria della Roccella
- Visita di Squillace
- Visita di Catanzaro
- Visita di Máida
- Visita di Soverato
Museums
- Antiquarium del Parco Archeologico
Events
- Nessun Evento segnalato
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