There is evidence of the presence of a type of Homo Erectus in Calabria along coastal areas as far back as 700,000 BC. More recently ( 12,000 BC ) Stone Age there is a figure of a bull in the Romito Cave. The first villages arrive in 3,500 BC.
In approximately 1500 BC the Oenotri or vine cultivators settled in Calabria. According to legend, they were Greeks led by kin Oenotrus. Some say that they were first to use “italoi” which later evolved into Italia. However the Samnites also can make claim to that from the word Vitaliu. The first real documented Greek presence begins during the eighth and seventh centuries BC. When over a dozen settlements were founded ( Magna Grecia ) Some of the more well known are: Cosenza, Scilla, Locri, Acri and Reggio Calabria.
Two of the famed lyric poets were born in Calabria. Crotone became a center of science, medicine and philosophy in the 5th Century BC. The Itali were the first established people of Calabria. The Bruttii from Lacania occupied Calabria and renamed it Bruttium. They were very advanced culturally and originated in what is now Basilicata.
This short post is taken from Made In South Italy Today Click the link to read more.
Timeline Map
Calabria — Calabria — and more Calabria
I never new about my Calabrian roots until a few years ago. We have so many posts on Calabria that we decided to put them all in one place. You’ll also find some links to great books on Amazon, including mine “Farmers and Nobles” Bookmark us so that you can some back whenever you like.
