THURII (city in Lucania)
City of Magna Graecia, situated on the Tarentine gulf
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Lucania
- Where
- 39.70° N, 16.47° E
Thurii is located between the rivers Crathis and Sybaris. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.15 ¶2 The wine produced in Thurii is considered among the best. Strabo 6.1.14 A single oak tree in Thurii never lost its leaves and did not bud before midsummer. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 16.33 ¶2
Described in the sources
Thurii was established by Greeks who moved the population from the former site of Sybaris. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 16.33 ¶2 +2 Thurii is located in Italy, on the coast of the Ionian Sea, near the Lacedæmonian Tarentum, Sybaris, the Salentine Neæthus, and Temesa. Ovid Met. 15.1-59 (4) +1 Thurii is located within the fifth zone of the world. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.39 ¶6 Gypsum is prepared from calcined stone at this location. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 36.59 ¶1 An isthmus connects Thurii to Cerilli near the river Lao. Strabo 6.1.4 Lagaria is situated after Thurii in the coastal sequence. Strabo 6.1.14 Herodotus was compiling his history in this city in Italy. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 12.8 ¶1 The city received its name from a local fountain called Thurii. Strabo 6.1.13 The distance from Thurii to the city of Siris is about 330 stadia. Strabo 6.1.14 The district known as Tauriana is located above the city of Thurii. Strabo 6.1.3
Stories and history
The day length in Thurii is fifteen equinoctial hours. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.39 ¶6 In Thurii, a seven-foot gnomon casts a six-foot shadow. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 6.39 ¶6 The city was attacked twice by Sthennius Statilius Lucanus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 34.15 ¶1 Thurium is credited with providing olive juice in a poetic verse. Athenaeus 1.55 Herodotus was involved in establishing the colony at this location. Strabo 14.2.16 Thurii is located in a region of Italy distant from the Ausonian Sea. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 14.8 ¶7 Romans sent a colony to the nearly deserted city and renamed it Copiae. Strabo 6.1.13 Thurii was involved in a dispute with Tarentini over the site of Siris. Strabo 6.1.14 Damon of Thurii won a victory for the second time during the Messenian return. Pausanias 4.27.9 The people erected a statue to Fabricius for delivering their city from siege. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 34.15 ¶1