Crotone

Crotone is a city and comune located in Calabria, Italy.

It sits near the Esaro river on the coast. Historically, it was founded as an Achaean colony named Kroton. This city became a major center of Magna Graecia, a region of Greek influence in Southern Italy. In 1992, it became the capital of the Province of Crotone. The city is a place where many different cultures have left their marks over thousands of years.

The founding of Kroton involved several stages of Greek colonization. A man named Myscellus led the expeditions from Achaea in the northern Peloponnese. He consulted the Delphic Oracle for guidance before traveling. The oracle told him to find a place next to the Esaro river. While some believe the city was founded in 710 BC, Myscellus likely made three different attempts. The first attempt in 733 BC did not create a stable settlement. The second attempt occurred between 720 and 709 BC. Finally, around 708 BC, he successfully founded the city. This movement was driven by population pressure and a lack of farmable land in Greece.

During its peak, Kroton was a massive and flourishing Greek city. By 500 BC, the population reached between 50,000 and 80,000 people. The city was protected by walls that were 12 miles long. The inhabitants were famous for their physical strength and simple lifestyles. Many Crotonians won prizes at the Olympic Games and other Panhellenic Games. One famous athlete was Milo of Croton. The city also produced world-renowned physicians. One notable doctor, Democedes, gained fame by treating King Darius of Persia.

The city was also a center for deep intellectual thought. Around 530 BC, the mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras founded his school there. His pupils included the medical theorist Alcmaeon and the astronomer Philolaus. The Pythagoreans held great influence over the city's supreme council of one thousand rulers. However, political shifts eventually changed this power. A revolt led by Cylon caused many Pythagoreans to be killed or forced to flee. This event led to the establishment of a democracy and a period of decline for the city.

Many different empires and leaders have controlled Crotone throughout history. The city fell to the tyrant Dionysius of Syracuse in 379 BC. Later, the Romans took control of the remaining population in 277 BC. During the Second Punic War, the general Hannibal used the city as his winter quarters for three years. In the Middle Ages, the city was part of the Byzantine Empire. It was later conquered by the Normans. In the 16th century, the Spanish ruled the area. The Castle of Charles V was built during this time to overlook the city.

Modern Crotone has experienced significant economic shifts. Between the two World Wars, the city saw rapid industrial development. This growth was helped by its location between the ports of Taranto and Messina. It also had access to hydroelectric power. The population even doubled during the 1930s. However, the late 1980s brought a difficult economic crisis. Two major employers, Pertusola Sud and Montedison, collapsed. This caused many residents to lose their jobs and move away. In 1996, a flood of the Esaro river caused further hardship. Today, the city is focused on urban renewal and improving quality of life.

Archaeology helps us understand the ancient layout of the city. Researchers have reconstructed the ancient wall circuit using various clues. The walls descended from St. Lucia hill to the Carrara hill. They also crossed the Esaro river. Excavations have revealed that the ancient city covered at least 617 hectares. Archaeologists have found urban blocks organized with a network of narrow streets called stenopoi. They also found houses that served as both homes and artisan workshops. These sites provide a window into how people lived in the archaic age.