bgr_917752 - LUCANIE - HÉRACLÉE Diobole

LUCANIA - HERACLEA

(5th-4th century BC)

In order to put an end to the struggle between the cities of Taranto and Thurium, Heraclea was jointly founded in 433-432 BC. The inhabitants of Siris, a neighboring town, were also settled there. In 374 BC, Heraclea became the federal capital of the Italiote league at the request of Taranto who wanted to dominate the region. Romans and Tarentines helped by Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, clashed in 279 BC near the city. Heraclea was taken by the Romans in 272 BC.