RHEGION (city in Bruttium)
Ancient city-state of Calabria
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Bruttium
- Where
- 38.11° N, 15.64° E
Aeschylus claims the name derives from the earthquake that separated Sicily from the continent. Strabo 6.1.6 part 1 The distance across the strait from Messana to Rhegium is sixty stadia. Strabo 6.2.3 A bull escaped the herd at this location and swam across the sea to Sicily. Apollodorus 2.5.10
Described in the sources
Rhegium is located in Italy on the Italian coast, opposite the island of Zancle and the rocks of Zancle. Ovid Met. 14.1-74 +2 Anaxilas held the position of despot in this city-state. Pausanias 4.23.6 +1 The city is situated one hundred stadia from the Columna Rheginorum. Strabo 6.1.5 part 2 +1 The territory of Rhegium is located across the river Caecinus from Locris. Pausanias 6.6.4 +1 Rhegium is situated on the coast of Bruttium. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.10 ¶2 Rhegium is situated within the fifth climatic zone. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.39 ¶6 The forest of Sila begins immediately after Rhegium. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.10 ¶2 Micythus was appointed to manage the city of Rhegium. Herodotus 7.170.4 Anaxilaus was the tyrant who ruled the city of Rhegium. Herodotus 7.165.1 Cleomenes, a poet from Rhegium, wrote dithyrambic odes. Athenaeus 9.65
Gods and worship
The city became very powerful and controlled many dependent settlements. Strabo 6.1.6 part 1 Women in the city consider it shameful to wear purchased garlands at festivals. Strabo 6.1.5 part 2
Stories and history
Grasshoppers in the territory of Rhegium are silent, unlike the singing ones in Locrian lands, a trait believed to be caused by the woody region and dew. Pausanias 6.6.4 +1 Micythus was expelled from the city of Rhegium. Herodotus 7.170.4 Dionysius the Elder transported plane trees to the city. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 12.3 ¶1 The tyrant of Rhegium was in a feud with the Zanclaeans. Herodotus 6.23.2 Rhegium gained fame because of artistic works located there. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 35.46 ¶4 The plane trees in the city did not grow to a very great height. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 12.3 ¶1 The city recently helped Rome when Sextus Pompeius alienated Sicily. Strabo 6.1.6 part 1 The palace containing the trees was later converted into a gymnasium. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 12.3 ¶1 Aristo of this city was applauded and hoped to win the musical contest. Strabo 6.1.9 The city's rulers were of Messenian descent until the era of Anaxilaus. Strabo 6.1.6 part 1
Myths set at Rhegion
- The Flight of the Messenians. hook: "Messenian fugitives complain to the oracle that Apollo allows their abuse despite their honor.", "goal": "", "outcome": "Apollo instructs the Messenians to be grateful to Diana for their salvation and commands them to move to Rhegium with the Chalcidenses."}, Strabo 6.1.6 part 1 Apollo