Tarentum
(
Τάρας). Now Taranto; a Greek city on the western coast of
Calabria in Italy with an excellent harbour, which formed a part of the Sinus Tarentinus. The
surrounding country was both fertile and picturesque. Tarentum was traditionally said to have
been built by the Iapygians, mingled with colonists from Crete, and to have derived its name
from Taras, a son of Poseidon (Pausan. x. 10, 6). Its importance dates from the year B.C. 708,
when it was captured by a body of Lacedaemonians under Phalanthus (see the article
Partheniae), after which it became a flourishing
place, holding a sort of suzerainty over the rest of the cities of Magna Graecia. Its commerce
was extensive; it had a powerful fleet; and could bring into the field an army of 30,000
infantry and 3000 cavalry, including the forces of its allies; its own troops numbered 22,000
men.
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Coin of Tarentum (third century B.C.).
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Its government was different at different periods of its history. At the time of Darius
Hystaspis it was ruled by kings; but later it became a democracy. Its later law-code was the
work of Archytas, who flourished about B.C. 400. As its wealth increased, its people became
luxurious and effeminate; and being attacked by the neighbouring Lucanians, it appealed to
Sparta for help. In answer to this appeal Archidamus, son of Agesilaüs, came to their
assistance in B.C. 338; and he fell in battle fighting on their behalf. The next prince whom
they invited to succour them was Alexander, king of Epirus, and uncle to Alexander the Great.
At first he met with considerable success, but was eventually defeated and slain by the
Bruttii in 326 near Pandosia on the banks of the Acheron. Shortly afterwards the Tarentines
had to encounter a still more formidable enemy. Having attacked some Roman ships, and then
grossly insulted the Roman ambassadors who had been sent to demand reparation, war was
declared against the city by the powerful Republic. The Tarentines were saved for a time by
Pyrrhus, king of Epirus (see
Pyrrhus), who came to
their help in 281; but two years after the defeat of this monarch and his withdrawal from
Italy, the city was taken by the Romans (272 B.C.). In the Second Punic War Tarentum revolted
from Rome to Hannibal (212 B.C.); but it was retaken by the Romans in 207. and was treated by
them with great severity, From this time Tarentum declined in prosperity and wealth. It was
subsequently made a Roman colony, and it still continued to be a place of considerable
importance in the time of Augustus (
Tac. Ann. i.
10). Its inhabitants retained their love of luxury and ease; and it is described by
Horace as
molle Tarentum and
imbelle Tarentum. Even after the
downfall of the Western Empire the Greek language was still spoken at Tarentum; and it was
long one of the chief strongholds of the Byzantine Empire in the south of Italy.
The town of Tarentum consisted of two parts, viz.: a peninsula or island at the entrance of
the harbour, and a town on the mainland, which was connected with the island by means of a
bridge. On the northwest corner of the island, close to the entrance of the harbour, was the
citadel: the principal part of the town was situated southwest of the isthmus. The modern town
is confined to the island or peninsula on which the citadel stood. The neighbourhood of
Tarentum produced the best wool in all Italy, and was also celebrated for its excellent wine,
figs, pears, and other fruits. Its purple dye was also much valued in antiquity. On the
history of the place, see the works by Döhle
(1877) and De Vincentis
(1878 foll.); and on the topography, that by Gagliardo
(Taranto, 1886).