Grumentum
Encyclopedia
Grumentum was an ancient town in the centre of Lucania
, in what is now the comune
of Grumento Nova
, c. 50 km south of Potenza
by the direct road through Anxia, and 80 km by the Via Herculia, at the point of divergence of a road eastward to Heraclea
.
, in the area date from the 6th century BC, but the town was founded by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, during the Samnite Wars
, as a fortified vanguard. In 215 BC
the Carthaginian general Hanno
was defeated under its walls
, and in 207 BC
Hannibal made it his headquarters. In the Social War it appears as a strong fortress, and seems to have been held by both sides at different times. It became a colony, perhaps in the time of Sulla, at the latest under Augustus
, and seems to have been of some importance.
In 370 Grumentum became a bishopric seat, but soon afterwards it began to be abandoned. Due to the Saracen inroads (9th-10th centuries), in 954 a new town (Saponara or Saponaria, the modern Grumento Nova
) was founded.
The site is a ridge on the right bank of the Aciris (Agri
) about 600 m above sea-level, c. 800 m below the modern Grumento Nova, which lies much higher (772 m).
Its ruins include those of a large amphitheatre (arena 62.5 by 60 m, 1st century BC), the only one in Lucania
. There are also remains of a theatre. Inscriptions record the repair of its town walls and the construction of thermae (of which remains were found) in 57-51 BC, the construction in 43 BC, of a portico
, remains of which may be seen along an ancient road, at right angles to the main road, which traversed Grumentum from south to north. A domus with 4th century AD mosaics is also present, as well as two small temples of imperial times. Outside the walls monumental tombs, a Palaeo-Christian basilica and an aqueduct have been found.
Much of the findings can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Grumento Nova.
Lucania
Lucania was an ancient district of southern Italy, extending from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Gulf of Taranto. To the north it adjoined Campania, Samnium and Apulia, and to the south it was separated by a narrow isthmus from the district of Bruttium...
, in what is now the comune
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:...
of Grumento Nova
Grumento Nova
Grumento Nova is a town and comune in the province of Potenza, in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata. The ancient name of the town was Saponara.In the locality Spineta are the remains of the Roman town of Grumentum....
, c. 50 km south of Potenza
Potenza
-Transportation:Potenza is a rail junction on the main line from Salerno to Taranto, managed by FS Trenitalia; it has also a connection to Altamura, served by the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane regional company...
by the direct road through Anxia, and 80 km by the Via Herculia, at the point of divergence of a road eastward to Heraclea
Heraclea (Lucania)
Heraclea was an ancient city of Magna Graecia, situated in Lucania on the Gulf of Tarentum , but a short distance from the sea, and between the rivers Aciris and Siris , the site of which is located in the modern comune of Policoro, Province of Matera, Basilicata,...
.
History
The first settlements, of the LucaniLucani
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....
, in the area date from the 6th century BC, but the town was founded by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, during the Samnite Wars
Samnite Wars
The First, Second, and Third Samnite Wars, between the early Roman Republic and the tribes of Samnium, extended over half a century, involving almost all the states of Italy, and ended in Roman domination of the Samnites...
, as a fortified vanguard. In 215 BC
215 BC
Year 215 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Albinus/Marcellus/Verrucosus and Gracchus...
the Carthaginian general Hanno
Hanno the Elder
Hanno the Elder was a Carthaginian general who served under Hannibal during the Second Punic War. According to the historian Livy, his track record was terrible: in 215 BC he was defeated by Tiberius Sempronius Longus at Grumentum, in 214 BC he was defeated by Gracchus at Beneventum, two years...
was defeated under its walls
Battle of Grumentum
The Battle of Grumentum was fought in 207 BC between Romans led by Gaius Claudius Nero, and Hannibal's Carthaginian army. The battle was a minor Roman victory, and Nero marched north where he defeated and killed Hannibal's brother Hasdrubal at Metaurus. The battle is described by Livy at 27.41-42....
, and in 207 BC
207 BC
Year 207 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Nero and Salinator...
Hannibal made it his headquarters. In the Social War it appears as a strong fortress, and seems to have been held by both sides at different times. It became a colony, perhaps in the time of Sulla, at the latest under Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
, and seems to have been of some importance.
In 370 Grumentum became a bishopric seat, but soon afterwards it began to be abandoned. Due to the Saracen inroads (9th-10th centuries), in 954 a new town (Saponara or Saponaria, the modern Grumento Nova
Grumento Nova
Grumento Nova is a town and comune in the province of Potenza, in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata. The ancient name of the town was Saponara.In the locality Spineta are the remains of the Roman town of Grumentum....
) was founded.
The site is a ridge on the right bank of the Aciris (Agri
Agri River
The Agri is a 136 km long river in southern Italy. It flows through the region of Basilicata and into the Ionian Sea, near Policoro. In ancient times it was known as Aciris ....
) about 600 m above sea-level, c. 800 m below the modern Grumento Nova, which lies much higher (772 m).
Its ruins include those of a large amphitheatre (arena 62.5 by 60 m, 1st century BC), the only one in Lucania
Lucania
Lucania was an ancient district of southern Italy, extending from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Gulf of Taranto. To the north it adjoined Campania, Samnium and Apulia, and to the south it was separated by a narrow isthmus from the district of Bruttium...
. There are also remains of a theatre. Inscriptions record the repair of its town walls and the construction of thermae (of which remains were found) in 57-51 BC, the construction in 43 BC, of a portico
Portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls...
, remains of which may be seen along an ancient road, at right angles to the main road, which traversed Grumentum from south to north. A domus with 4th century AD mosaics is also present, as well as two small temples of imperial times. Outside the walls monumental tombs, a Palaeo-Christian basilica and an aqueduct have been found.
Much of the findings can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Grumento Nova.