v49_0012 - LUCANIA - METAPONTUM Demi-unité, (PB, Æ 16)

LUCANIA - METAPONTUM

(3rd century BC)

Metaponte, an Achaean colony located in the Gulf of Taranto, is said to have been founded in 773 BC. First allied with the Sybarites and the Crotoniates, it then took possession of the territories of Siris. After the destruction of Sybaris by Crotone in 510 BC, the city welcomed Pythagoras. Metaponte took part in the Pan-Hellenic foundation of Thurium in 443 BC. During the Peloponnesian War, she supported Athens against Syracuse. During the war between Rome and Pyrrhus, she sided with the latter. Finally, during the Second Punic War (221-201 BC). it favored Hannibal who established his headquarters there in 210 BC after the loss of Capua. It definitely lost its independence after 201 BC..