Sybaris

Sybaris was an important ancient Greek city situated on the coast of the Gulf of Taranto in modern Calabria [1]. The city was founded around 720 BC by Achaean and Troezenian settlers [1]. The ruins of Sybaris/Thurii/Copia became forgotten as they were buried by sediment from the Crati river [1]. The city was situated close to the sea and lay between the Crathis and Sybaris rivers [1]. Sybaris amassed great wealth and a huge population as a result of its fertile farming land and its policy of admitting aliens to its citizenry [1]. It was the largest Greek city in Italy and may have had 300,000 inhabitants although others give a figure of 100,000 [1]. The circumference of the city was fifty stadia and the area approximately 500 hectares [1]. Sybaris was also a dominant power in the region and ruled over 4 tribes and 25 cities [1].