Atena Lucana
Encyclopedia
Atena Lucana is a town and comune
in the province of Salerno
in the Campania
region of south-western Italy
.
, as testified by the presence of prehistoric Megalith
ic walls. Later it was a Greek trading center, a fortress of the Lucani
and a municipium
of the Romans
. In imperial times
it temples dedicated to Jupiter, Cybele
, Aesculapius, Hercules
, bath, an amphitheatre and, perhaps, a forum.
Around the 9th century it was destroyed by Saracen
raiders. Subsequently it was a fief of different baronal families. In the 19th century much of the population emigrated to North and South America.
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
in the province of Salerno
Province of Salerno
The Province of Salerno is a province in the Campania region of Italy.-Geography:The largest towns in the province are: Salerno, the capital, which has a population of 139,579; Cava de' Tirreni with a population of 53,488; Battipaglia with a population of 51,115; and Nocera Inferiore which has a...
in the Campania
Campania
Campania is a region in southern Italy. The region has a population of around 5.8 million people, making it the second-most-populous region of Italy; its total area of 13,590 km² makes it the most densely populated region in the country...
region of south-western Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
History
Atena Lucana is one of the most ancient settlements in the Vallo di DianoVallo di Diano
The Vallo di Diano is an italian valley of the south-eastern side of Campania, in the Province of Salerno.-Geography:...
, as testified by the presence of prehistoric Megalith
Megalith
A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement.The word 'megalith' comes from the Ancient...
ic walls. Later it was a Greek trading center, a fortress of the Lucani
Lucani
Lučani is a town and municipality located in the Dragačevo region within the Moravica District of Serbia . The population of the town is 3,425, while population of the municipality was 20,855....
and a municipium
Municipium
Municipium , the prototype of English municipality, was the Latin term for a town or city. Etymologically the municipium was a social contract between municipes, the "duty holders," or citizens of the town. The duties, or munera, were a communal obligation assumed by the municipes in exchange for...
of the Romans
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
. In imperial times
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
it temples dedicated to Jupiter, Cybele
Cybele
Cybele , was a Phrygian form of the Earth Mother or Great Mother. As with Greek Gaia , her Minoan equivalent Rhea and some aspects of Demeter, Cybele embodies the fertile Earth...
, Aesculapius, Hercules
Hercules
Hercules is the Roman name for Greek demigod Heracles, son of Zeus , and the mortal Alcmene...
, bath, an amphitheatre and, perhaps, a forum.
Around the 9th century it was destroyed by Saracen
Saracen
Saracen was a term used by the ancient Romans to refer to a people who lived in desert areas in and around the Roman province of Arabia, and who were distinguished from Arabs. In Europe during the Middle Ages the term was expanded to include Arabs, and then all who professed the religion of Islam...
raiders. Subsequently it was a fief of different baronal families. In the 19th century much of the population emigrated to North and South America.
Main sights
- Church of St. Nicholas (9th century)
- Church of Santa Maria Maggiore
- Archaeological area of Serrone
- Castle
- MegalithMegalithA megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement.The word 'megalith' comes from the Ancient...
ic Walls (4th century BC)