Parthenope, Greek archaeological site in Naples, Italy
Parthenope was a Greek colony on the Pizzofalcone hill in Naples, Italy, watching over the bay and trade routes. The foundation marked the first Hellenic bridgehead in this region and served as the predecessor settlement of the later city Neapolis.
Colonists from Cumae founded the settlement at the end of the 8th century BC as a maritime trading post. The colony was later abandoned when the Greeks shifted their presence to a new foundation called Neapolis.
The name comes from a siren in Greek myth who landed on the shore after unsuccessful attempts at seduction. This mythological heritage connects the bay with Homeric tales to this day and shows how much ancient sailors filled their coasts with divine legends.
Access to the archaeological zones is through guided tours that explain the connection between the ancient colony and present-day Naples. Visitors should bring comfortable shoes for uneven terrain and allow enough time to explore the hilly landscape.
Archaeological traces include Greek temples and public squares that later influenced Roman urban planning in the region. These remains show how Hellenic building traditions lived on in local architecture for centuries.
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