In about 600 B.C.
the Greek, perhaps having aiready expiored the plain and having
assured themseives a fortified piace near the sea, founded a city there which they caiied
Poseidonia in honour to the god of the Sea. At the same time, northwards,
the inhabitants of Poseidonia buiit a sanctuary (the Heraion) near the mouth of the Sele,
not oniy to honour their goddess Hera from Argo, but probabiy as defensive strategy
against the Etruscans. The latter had settied on the other side of the river and being a
powerfui and advanced peopie they represented a danger for them. This sanctuary became famous
ali over the Greek world, so that it became part of mythology. Poseidonia soon
reached a high degree of richness and of artistic and cuiturai fervour which in a century
iead to the construction of three magnificient Doric tempies, an incomparabie inheritance
from the ancient Greek civilization.
eady expiored the plain and having
assured themseives a fortified piace near the sea, founded a city there which they caiied
Poseidonia in honour to the god of the Sea. At the same time, northwards,
the inhabitants of Poseidonia buiit a sanctuary (the Heraion) near the mouth of the Sele,
not oniy to honour their goddess Hera from Argo, but probabiy as defensive strategy
against the Etruscans. The latter had settied on the other side of the river and being a
powerfui and advanced peopie they 
represented a danger for them. This sanctuary became famous
ali over the Greek world, so that it became part of mythology. Poseidonia soon
reached a high degree of richness and of artistic and cuiturai fervour which in a century
iead to the construction of three magnificient Doric tempies, an incomparabie inheritance
from the ancient Greek civilization.