Pithekoussai

This interest in metals was even more pronounced at what is considered the first true Greek colony, located at Pithekoussai on the island of Ischia off the western coast of Italy. Yet again we look to Euboia for origins, as the later literature claims that the cities of Chalkis and Eretria together colonized the island (an unusual event, as most colonies have only one metropolis, or mother city). According to Strabo (Geography, 5.4.9), "Pithekoussai was settled by Eretrians and Chalkidians. Although prospering through the fruitful soil and goldmines, some abandoned the island on account of internal strife, and later they left because of earthquakes and eruption of fire, sea and hot waters."

Likewise Livy, when discussing the second Greek colony across the shore from Pithekoussai at Cumae, relates (Early History of Rome, 8.22.5-6): "Palaepo-lis was not far from where Neapolis is now; one populus inhabited the two cities. They were Cumaen by origin; the Cumaens trace their origin to Euboian Chalkis. By means of a fleet, with which they had come leaving their homes, they had considerable power along the coast where they dwelled, first on the islands of Aenaria and Pithekoussai, then daring to transfer their seat onto the continent."

Archaeological data also indicate an important Euboian role in the foundation of Pithekoussai: A distinctive style of Euboian drinking vessel called a pendant semicircle skyphos appeared prominently and early at the site. It is possible that the Euboians first became interested in Pithekoussai by hearing references to the western islands from Phoenician traders at Al Mina, and thus we might consider a trail of Euboian traders going from Euboia itself to the Levantine coast to Ischia and finally settling in Italy (Ridgway 1992, 25 ff.).

What most archaeologists and historians studying Pithekoussai notice right

Away is that, unlike a traditional colony, the island does not offer many possibilities for agricultural self-sufficiency. The island is somewhat hilly and the soil is predominantly volcanic, thus good mainly for growing vines but not for grains. Clearly, then, farming was not a major concern for the settlers. By contrast, Pithekoussai was easily defensible and had two excellent harbors, one to either side of the town, as well as easy access to the metal reserves of Etruria to the west and the island of Elba to the north (where the French later imprisoned Napoleon).

The fact that the Pithekoussans were engaging in metallurgy is evident from the main "factory" area discovered at the ancient site of Mazzola, described as a "suburb" of the residential area. Here, excavator Georgio Buchner discovered an entire industrial complex dating (by the pottery) from the mid-eighth century through the first quarter of the seventh century b. c.e. (Ridgway 1992, 92). One of the rooms (Structure III) contained many pieces of iron bloom (pre-and partially worked metal), slag (metal leftovers), and fragments embedded in the floor. There was a burnt area immediately outside of the room, suggesting a blacksmith's shop with a forge. Right next door, Structure IV had an arrangement of heavily burnt bricks that appear to have been yet another forge, with heavily polished hard stones nearby that may have served as anvils. Just outside this structure were remains of bronze sheet and wire, discarded pieces of half-made bronze jewelry, as well as bits of copper and lead (Ridgway 1992, 93). Clearly, this was the metalworking zone of the ancient community.

Additional evidence for metalworking comes from the literary evidence, wherein Strabo tells us that the settlement prospered—at least in part— through the works of its goldsmiths. Ischia itself had neither gold nor silver, although the latter metal was found in abundance in the local graves, but both metals are attested to on the nearby island of Elba. One can imagine trade and importation of the raw materials to the Greek settlement, which then exported the finished luxury items.

In contrast to the metalworking aspects of the Pithekoussan economy, we have less archaeological evidence for other industries in the colony, such as pottery. Although ceramics were imported from Greece and the Near East, these ceramics served a primary purpose of carrying goods to Ischia, notably wine and oil. Local-made amphorae indicate that the Pithekoussans also had local "brands" of these items, although it is not yet possible to tell if they exported these (Ridgway 1992, 64). Where the amphorae and other ceramics were fabricated remains a mystery, as a potters' quarter to match the metal-smithing complex at Mazzola has yet to reveal itself (Ridgway 1992, 101).