KROTON (city in Bruttium)
Ancient Italian city-state
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Bruttium
- Where
- 39.08° N, 17.13° E
The city was founded on a mound where the sacred bones of a person named Croton were buried. Ovid Met. 15.1-59 (4) Heracles predicted a famous city would arise bearing the name of Croton, whom he killed accidentally. Diodorus 4.24 The city is located on the Italian coasts near the mouth of the river Æsar. Ovid Met. 15.1-59 (4)
Described in the sources
Croton had the best physicians in the Greek world, a reputation linked to a specific doctor. Herodotus 3.131.2 +1 Democedes was a native of Croton who resided there before leaving due to his father's harsh temperament. Herodotus 3.129.3 +1 Tisicrates was a native of Croton who won a foot-race. Pausanias 6.9.5 Crimissa, where Philoctetes settled, is located near Croton. Apollodorus, Epitome 6.15b Callias fled to Croton to escape the tyrant Telys of Sybaris. Herodotus 5.44.2 Croton is located at the beginning of the second Gulf of Europe. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.15 ¶2 The abode of the great Croton was located on the Lacinian shores. Ovid Met. 15.1-59 (2) The Persians pursued Democedes to this city after departing from Tarentum. Herodotus 3.137.1 Democedes was located in the marketplace of this city when the Persians found him. Herodotus 3.137.1 Democedes traveled to this city while the Persians were detained by the Tarentines. Herodotus 3.136.2
Stories and history
The men of Croton will sack the city of the Amazon. Lycophron, Alexandra ¶44 The men of Croton will sack the towers after great labor. Lycophron, Alexandra ¶44 The men of Croton will destroy the dauntless maiden Clete. Lycophron, Alexandra ¶44 Myscellus, who originated from Rhypes, was the founder of Croton. Strabo 8.7.5 The citizens of Croton ignored the Persians who were present there. Herodotus 3.137.4 The Sybarites and their king Telys prepared to march against Croton. Herodotus 5.44.1 The men of Croton were very much afraid of the approaching Sybarites. Herodotus 5.44.1 The prophecy that a city would rise at Croton was eventually fulfilled. Ovid Met. 15.1-59 (2) Lacedaemonians sent colonies to Croton in Italy during Polydorus's reign. Pausanias 3.3.1 Hercules entered the dwelling of the great Croton to rest after his voyage. Ovid Met. 15.1-59 (2)