LAGA´RIA
LAGA´RIA (
Λαγαρία: Eth.
Λαγαριτανός, Eth.
Lagarinus), a small town of Lucania, situated between Thurii and the river Sybaris; which, according to the commonly received legend, was founded by a colony of Phocians under the command of Epeius, the architect of the wooden horse. (
Strab. vi. p.263; Lycophr.
Alex. 930; Tzetz.
ad loc.) Strabo, the only geographical writer who mentions it, calls it only a fortress (
Φρούριον), and it was probably never a place of any importance; though deriving some celebrity in after times from the excellence of its wine, which was esteemed one of the best in Italy. (Strab.
l.c.; Plin. Nat. 14.6. s. 8.)
The statement of Strabo, above quoted, is the only clue to its position, which cannot therefore be determined with any certainty. Cluverius placed it at
Nocara, about 10 miles from the sea, and this conjecture (for it is nothing more) has been adopted by Romanelli.
The wines of this neighbourhood are said still to preserve their ancient reputation. (Cluver.
Ital. p. 1272 Romanelli, vol. i. p. 248.)
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E.H.B]
