Croton

Greek town (now Crotone) on the east coast of Bruttium (now Calabria, Italy). It was founded by Achaeans 710 BC and quickly prospered because it had the only harbour between Tarentum (now Taranto) and Rhegium (Reggio). The Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras founded his religious brotherhood in Croton about 535 BC.

The Crotonians destroyed the rival Calabrian city Sybaris 510 BC, but in 480 BC were themselves defeated by the Epizephyrian Locrians and others, after which the city gradually declined. It became subject to Rome 277 BC.

The site has disappeared, but on the neighbouring promontory (11 km/7 mi southeast) there are traces of the temple of Hera Lacinia, which was reached from the town by a processional way.