Tarentum

, Tarentus , or Taras , a town of Calabria, situate on a bay of the same name, near the mouth of the river Galesus. It was founded, or rather repaired, by a Lacedæmonian colony, about 707 years before Christ, under the conduct of Phalanthus. Long independent, it maintained its superiority over 13 tributary cities; and could once arm 100,000 foot and 3000 horse. The people of Tarentum were very indolent, and as they were easily supplied with all nece aries as well as luxuries from Greece, they gave themselves up to voluptuousne , so that the delights of Tarentum became proverbial. The war which they supported against the Romans, with the a istance of Pyrrhus king of Epirus, and which has been called the Tarentine war , is greatly celebrated in history. This war, which had been undertaken B.C. 281, by the Romans, to avenge the insults the Tarentines had offered to their ships when near their harbour, was terminated after 10 years; 300,000 prisoners were taken, and Tarentum became subject to Rome. The government was democratical; there were, however, some monarchs who reigned there. It was for some time the residence of Pythagoras, who inspired the citizens with the love of virtue, and rendered them superior to their neighbours in the cabinet as well as in the field of battle. The large, beautiful, and capacious harbour of Tarentum is greatly commended by ancient historians. Tarentum, now called Tarento , is inhabited by about 18,000 souls, who still maintain the character of their forefathers in idlene and effeminacy, and live chiefly by fishing. Florus , bk. 1 , ch. 18 .— Valerius Maximus , bk. 2 , ch. 2 .— Plutarch , Pyrrhus .— Pliny , bk. 8 , ch. 6 ; bk. 15 , ch. 10 ; bk. 34 , ch. 7 .— Livy , bk. 12 , ch. 13 , . — Mela , bk. 2 , ch. 4 .— Strabo , bk. 6 .— Horace , bk. 1 , ltr. 7 , li. 45 .— Ælian , Varia Hist or i a , bk. 5 , ch. 20 .