Taranto fra V e IV secolo a.C.

Abstract

After reviewing the archaeological evidence from 5th - 4th century Taras, the author presents some thoughts on the
relationship between Taras and its colony Herakleia. As literary sources and archaeological data suggest, Taras underwent
a serious crisis after a disastrous defeat against the Japygians in the 470s. Aristotle reports that this led to a change in
the constitution from politeia to demokrateia. The evidence presented in this paper supports the hypothesis according
to which burial customs were subjected to sumptuary laws after 470 BC. Burial rites and grave goods remain extremely
modest until the end of the 5th century, when Taras expanded its influence to the south and founded Herakleia.
Furthermore, the author claims that both mother-city and colony remained in close contact during the 4th century BC, as
indicated by similarities in the material culture, especially votive terracotta statuettes and gold jewellery.