After two books devoted to mythology, it seemed right to me to dedicate a third one to the history of the Greek poleis and of the colonies they founded in what is now southern Italy. I have tried to capture them—hoping I succeeded—at the most significant moments of their history, which range from the 6th to the 3rd century BC. From that point onward, “Greekness” faded away to make room for Rome and the Romans, who physically conquered these lands, only to be conquered in turn by Greek culture, art, and literature.
To do this, I used my barely sufficient historical knowledge and a good dose of imagination. At the moment I do not yet know whether there will be a story dedicated to the Macedonians, but if you happen to see it, it will mean that I decided in that direction (perhaps Alexander Megalè deserves it).
The work is divided into short stories set in cities of Greece and of the so-called Magna Graecia, rich in history and in political and other events. What is certain is that during those centuries the Mediterranean basin was the center of human civilization—in religion, philosophy, science, and, in a word, culture. The same language was spoken and the same gods were worshipped.
At a certain point, Greece could no longer provide sustenance for all her children, and since the poleis were perpetually at war with one another, a migration toward the west began, mainly toward Italy. Undertaking such a journey, given the means of the time, was like setting out today for the Moon or for Mars. There was no certainty of arriving, nor of where one might arrive. The crews consisted of adventurers and also of hardened criminals who, without women, ventured out to sea in search of a better future.
They were led by an oikist, who had to choose the place where they would settle, and this often happened at the expense of the native populations, not always peacefully. All of this took place between the 8th and the 5th century BC. The original poleis were called “metropoleis,” and the ones that were founded, while maintaining a strong bond with the motherland, soon acquired their own identity and independence without, however, severing relations with the founding poleis.
They had to find fertile land, natural harbors sheltered from hostile winds, and women to perpetuate the lineage. All this occurred only after consulting the oracles, to seek guidance for the enterprise. Emblematic is the case of Archias of Corinth and of Myskellos of the broad shoulders (he was hunchbacked), who questioned the priests of Apollo at Delphi as to whether they sought wealth or health. Archias immediately chose wealth and founded Syracuse, which became one of the most flourishing poleis of the Mediterranean. Myskellos was urged to found Kroton, later renowned for the salubrity of its climate, the beauty of its women, and the strength of its men.
The Greeks called the lands to the west colonies, and these mainly comprised southern Italy and Sicily. Later, these territories came to be called Magna Graecia. I would like to tell you about an episode that happened to me a few decades ago, when I was working in London. On an ordinary Sunday, I went to the British Museum, which was—and still is—free of charge, to visit the section, moreover a very beautiful one, dedicated to Magna Graecia.
To my dismay, I noticed that on the doorpost at the entrance there was a sentence I did not agree with: “Magna Graecia, Magna probably for the dimension of the country.” As a good Calabrian from Rhegion, I took paper and pen (it was 1989) and wrote all my misgivings in a letter, which I addressed to the director of the British Museum. You cannot imagine my surprise when, four days later, I received a reply that read: “Dear Sir, it’s written probably, not certainly. Kind regards, etc.”
My protest had been handled by the director with icy hypocrisy, but he had replied to me nonetheless. I do not know which museum director in Italy would have taken the trouble to do so. I could not begin this series of short stories dedicated to the poleis of Greece and to those of its colonies without starting from the most famous one, the cradle of democracy and more besides.
From: Iflauti di guerra).
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