A short guide to paestum - II

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Author: Daniele

The so-called Temple of Poseidon. too, was dedicated to Hera, a goddess worshipped in the whole area. It was built around 450 B.C., being contemporary with the Parthenon of Athens. its style is like that of the Parthenon, namely the classical Doric style. The difference between the early Doric style and the classical Doric style is quite clear if you compare the columns of the Basilica with those of theTempleofNeptune. You will notice a larger swelling (entasis) at half height on the shafts of the columns of the Basilica.

A short guide to paestum - I

Image via Wikipedia

Author: Daniele

The history of the town —Paestumwas founded by Greeks around 600 B.C. At the beginning it was called Poseidonia, since it was dedicate to Poseidon (the Roman Neptune), the god of the sea. In 400 B.C. it was occupied by the Lucans, an italic population. The Lucans ruled it till 273 B.C., when it became a Roman colony and was calledPaestum. The fall of the Floman Empire meant also the decline ofPaestum. As a matter of fact, around 500 B.C., since the mouths of the rivers running in the plain were silted up, the whole area became quite unhealthy.