The Banquet of the Gods, a trip to Ancient Sibari

Yet it remains a place of mystery. Many of those who come here to enjoy a relaxing holiday on the white sandy beaches are unaware that just a short distance away, still largely hidden under the ground, remain the traces of one of the largest cities of Magna Grecia. Second only to Taranto, ancient Sibari left its mark on history not only for its significant size, 100k inhabitants in 510 B.C., but especially for the extravagant and luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by its residents.

According to legend, the local population were so used to a hedonistic lifestyle of indulgence and opulence that the neighbouring army from Crotone were able to invade the city, not by the traditional method of attacking with weapons, but by lining up along the battlefield and playing their flutes. The Sibarian horses, accustomed to an environment of merriment and celebrations, raised themselves up to dance, unseating their riders and allowing the invaders to take over the city.

Whilst it is hard to distinguish fact from fiction, the stories of the extravagant wealth in this fabled city resulted in a collection of ‘Sybratic fairy stories’, humorous tales popular in Athens around the time of Aristotle.

Archaeological excavations, started in 1932, revealed layers of ancient ruins that related not to one ancient city, but three. The first was Sybaris, followed by Thurii built by Pericle when Sybaris was destroyed and finally by the Roman colony of Copia. Excavations have so far only revealed a small part of these ancient cities, but it remains a site of great archaeological interest.

So if you find yourself in Sibari, take some time out from the enticing beach umbrellas and white sands to immerse yourself in the past, and discover the great ancient metropolis that lies beneath you. But don’t forget as the sun goes down over the horizon and the heat of the day cools, sit back and raise a glass in honour of the ancient glories that lay so close to your feet. An act that surely would have been appreciated by those long since disappeared former residents.