Poseidonia was founded in the 6th century BC by Greeks. At the end of the 5th century BC it was conquered by the Lucani and renamed Paestum. In 273 BC it was conquered by the Romans. So the area has some interesting layers of architecture. Very little of the city has been excavated, but what has been are some of the best preserved temples from the 6th and 5th centuries BC.
On our way South from Naples to Poseidonia we made a quick stop near the Amalfi coast.
Natalie with Poseidonia in the background.
The temple of Athena.
The Greek senate. The original stone seats were recycled to build other monuments by the Romans.
The Amphitheater.
The temple of Neptune.
A road built hundreds of years before Christ. Not sure if it was made by the Greeks or Romans.
The homes were built on the seaward side of the public area.
The temple of Hera.
I think this is the other end of the temple of Neptune.
The museum was having some festival of roses. Not sure why. Most of the notes were in Italian and the guide was moving pretty quick. Anyways, they had this huge wreath out front.
These freezes would have decorated the outside of the temple under the eaves.
The drains for the gutters.
More decorations for the eaves of one of the temples.
The major attraction for the museum at Paestum is the grave art. These paintings would have been on the inside of the tomb.
A richly decorated vase depicting the mythical rape of Europa.
We had lunch at the museum restaurant before heading to Rome. The food was good, but we mostly were served pasta, pork, and potatoes during our time in Italy. It got kind of old.
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