Metapontum (Metaponto), an ancient city of Magna Graecia situated on the Gulf of Tarentum, near the mouth of the river Bradanus, and lies about 24 meters from Tarentum and 14 meters from Heraclea. It was founded by an Achaean colony from Sybaris and Crotona about 700 B.C.E.
Metapontum has the remains of two temples, both of which seem to belong to the period 510-480 B.C.E. The Chiesa di Sansone, which is located within the ancient town, was probably dedicated to Apollo Lycius. It was peripteral and measured 186 by 914 feet, of which only the foundations are left. The capitals were 33 feet in diameter. The temple was decorated with finely painted terra-cotta. The other temple, known as Tavole Paladine, is located outside the ancient city, and was also peripteral. It measured 105 feet by 49 feet without the steps.
The Archivision Collection of Ancient Sites was funded by the Jack Martin Balcer Library Endowment.
Keywords: metaponto, metapontion, metapontium, ancient Greek, Mediterranean.
Style/Period
Greek
Source
B?hlmann, J. Architektur des klassischen Altertums und der Renaissance. English. Classic and Renaissance architecture. [With an English text translation]. New York: W. Helburn. Plate T3
