Società Magna Grecia

The Società Magna Grecia is an Italian cultural association founded in 1920 by friends of ANIMI (Associazione Nazionale per gli Interessi del Mezzogiorno d'Italia). Its purpose was to raise funds for archaeological investigations and studies of finds, as well as for the preservation of monuments and the establishment or expansion of museums, covering indigenous civilizations, Greek colonies, Etruscan civilization, the Roman era, and the Byzantine period in Southern Italy. Under the regular patronage organized by Umberto Zanotti Bianco, with the scientific contribution and direct involvement of figures such as Paolo Orsi, Pirro Marconi, Quintino Quagliati, Amedeo Maiuri, Ugo Rellini, Edoardo Galli from Cosenza, and Paola Zancani Montuoro, the Society planned and carried out a substantial series of excavation campaigns in numerous locations of mainland and insular Southern Italy (Poseidonia, Velia, Hipponium-Vibo Valentia, Medma-Nicotera, Punta Alice near Cirò, Metaponto, Taranto, the Matera area, Himera, Leontini, Agrigento, S. Angelo Muxaro). These efforts contributed to knowledge of Italy's earliest history, which a schematic and ideological vision then prevailing wanted to be Roman-centric. Among the most important results of these investigations were the localization of archaic Sybaris, which had disappeared from the scene of Italiote history toward the end of the 6th century BC, and the discovery of the sanctuary of Hera Argiva at the mouth of the Sele river—an extraordinary undertaking documented by the permanent exhibition in the Archaeological Museum of Paestum of the most heterogeneous and... [text truncated]. The Society remains active, operating under the umbrella of ANIMI, and continues to promote archaeological research and cultural heritage in Southern Italy.

The Società Magna Grecia was founded in 1920 by friends of ANIMI (Associazione Nazionale per gli Interessi del Mezzogiorno d'Italia). Its purpose was to raise funds for the promotion of archaeological investigations and studies of finds, as well as for the preservation of monuments and the establishment or expansion of museums, encompassing indigenous civilizations, Greek colonies, Etruscan civilization, the Roman era, and the Byzantine period in Southern Italy. Under the regular patronage organized by Umberto Zanotti Bianco, with the scientific contribution and direct involvement of figures such as Paolo Orsi, Pirro Marconi, Quintino Quagliati, Amedeo Maiuri, Ugo Rellini, Edoardo Galli from Cosenza, and Paola Zancani Montuoro, the Society was able to plan and carry out a substantial series of excavation campaigns in numerous locations of mainland and insular Southern Italy (Poseidonia, Velia, Hipponium-Vibo Valentia, Medma-Nicotera, Punta Alice near Cirò, Metaponto, Taranto, the Matera area, Himera, Leontini, Agrigento, S. Angelo Muxaro). These efforts contributed to knowledge of Italy's earliest history, which a schematic and ideological vision then prevailing wanted to be Roman-centric. Among the most important results of these investigations were the localization of archaic Sybaris, which had disappeared from the scene of Italiote history toward the end of the 6th century BC, and the discovery of the sanctuary of Hera Argiva at the mouth of the Sele river—an extraordinary undertaking documented by the permanent exhibition in the Archaeological Museum of Paestum of the most heterogeneous and... [text truncated]. The Society continues to operate under ANIMI, promoting archaeological research and cultural heritage in Southern Italy.

• 1920

  Società Magna Grecia founded by friends of ANIMI.

• Excavation campaigns conducted at Poseidonia, Velia, Hipponium-Vibo Valentia, Medma-Nicotera, Punta Alice near Cirò, Metaponto, Taranto, Matera area, Himera, Leontini, Agrigento, S. Angelo Muxaro.

• Localization of archaic Sybaris.

• Discovery of the sanctuary of Hera Argiva at the mouth of the Sele.

Non-profit cultural association dedicated to archaeological research and heritage preservation in Southern Italy.

• Atti e Memorie

  Publication series of the Society.

• Progetto Appia antica

  Project related to the ancient Appian Way.

1. 1La storia della Società Magna Greciaanimi.it
2. 2Società Magna Grecia - Wikidatawikidata.org