Pithecusae
Pithecusae, located near the northwest tip of the Gulf of Cumae in modern-day Italy, is a historically significant island known for its early Greek settlements and trade activities. This fertile island, approximately seven miles from the mainland of Campania, was established by Euboean settlers from the cities of Chalcis and Eretria around 775/770 BC. Archaeological discoveries indicate that pottery and artifacts from Greek lands date back to the later Bronze Age and early Iron Age, suggesting a vibrant trading post that facilitated maritime contact with Etruria. The island's strategic location allowed for the exchange of goods, including valuable metals from Etruscan territories, in return for commodities like gold obtained from overseas markets.
Pithecusae thrived until the establishment of the nearby city of Cumae, which ultimately led to its decline. Notably, the island also faced several volcanic eruptions that contributed to its downfall, particularly the eruption of Mount Montagnone in the sixth century BC. Following changes in control through various settlers and Roman annexation, Pithecusae was renamed Aenaria and evolved into a significant industrial and harbor town. Today, the remnants of its rich history, including early Christian basilica remains and its reputation as a resort during Roman times, continue to attract interest from historians and visitors alike.
Subject Terms
Pithecusae
Pithekusa, Inarime, Arime, the Roman Aenaria (Ischia)
A fertile island seven miles from the mainland of Campania (southwest Italy) (the name Pithecusae was also sometimes extended to the neighboring island of Prochyta [Procida]) off the northwest tip of the Gulf of Cumae, which was known also as the Crater, and is now the Bay of Naples. Recent excavations have shown that pottery from Greek lands was present on the island during the later Bronze (Mycenaean) Age (c 1400 BC). It has been found on the lofty defensible promontory of Monte Vico above Heraclium (Lacco Ameno) at the northwestern corner of the island, where a flat lofty headland possesses sheltered harbors on either side and is adjoined by a strip of fertile territory. An early Iron Age village has been uncovered at Castiglione, on the north coast some two and half miles east of Monte Vico.
A Greek trading post was also established on Monte Vico itself, where objects from Greece discovered in the cemetery go back to at least 775/770 BC. The founders of the settlement came from the Euboean cities of Chalcis and Eretria, these being the states that were in the forefront of the new expansion of Hellenism—although the Eretrian merchants may have been exiles from their city. These traders were joined in the enterprise by a contingent from Cyme (that is to say, a small town on the same island of Euboea, and not, apparently, the more famous city in Aeolis [western Asia Minor] which took its name).
So one early pot found at Pithecusae displays an inscription in the Chalcidian form of the Greek alphabet. Another vase, significantly, depicts a shipwreck; for the trading post of Pithecusae was established in order to make maritime contact with Etruria, of which the metals, particularly iron and copper, were eagerly sought by the Greeks (and the contact could be facilitated by Etruscan settlements that have recently been identified in Campania itself). Thus a piece of iron in its natural state (haematite) which has now been unearthed at the earliest levels of Pithecusae has been proved to originate from the Etruscan island of Ilva (Aethalia, Elba); and remains of Pithecusan iron-workings have survived. What tempted the leaders of the Etruscan city-states to supply these Euboean visitors with the metals they required, was above all, the gold that they received in return and which brought them the great wealth displayed by their own eighth-century tombs. The Euboeans at Pithecusae, for their part, had obtained this gold from Greek commercial markets at Al Mina and Posidium (Ras-el-Bassit) in northern Syria, which possessed access to the gold mined in various near-eastern lands. In consequence, scarabs (beetle-shaped seals or gems) of Egypto-Phoenician design—both imports and copies—have been found on the island, as well as a locally fabricated amphora with an Aramaic inscription (the place-name Pithecusae, as Pliny the Elder points out, is derived from the local clay deposits).
Having gained confidence and contacts by establishing this island post, the Euboeans moved over to the mainland (c 750–725), where they established a second market which became the great city of Cumae. The eclipse of Pithecusae, which this development initiated, was completed by a volcanic eruption of Mount Montagnone (a secondary crater of Epomaeus [Epomeo], an active volcano in ancient times) at about the end of the sixth century. In 474 Hiero I of Syracuse, enlisted by Cumae to repel the Etruscans, occupied Pithecusae and planted a garrison (on the Castello island at Ischia Ponte on the east coast of the island), which fled, however, in 470 when another eruption occurred. Pithecusae was subsequently occupied by settlers from Neapolis (Naples), and then taken over by the Romans (326/322).
Sulla destroyed its settlements in 82 and obliterated its name in favor of Aenaria, under which name the principal habitation center became a large industrial and harbor town. In AD 6 Augustus restored the island to Neapolis in exchange for Capreae (Capri). Its climate and medicinal waters made it a favorite resort for Roman holiday makers. Beneath the church of Santa Restituta at Heraclium are the remains of a Christian basilica of fourth or fifth century date.