| More than 2,700 years ago, in the south of Italy, a city | | | | the river that passed near the town so that the colony |
| known as Sybaris was founded by the Dorians. Within | | | | was completely washed away. |
| 50 years the colony had grown to be a very important | | | | For about 50 years the remaining inhabitants from |
| centre, and had occupied much of the surrounding | | | | sybaris sought to establish a new colony but were |
| region. | | | | always prevented by their warring neighbours. |
| The Sybarites, as the inhabitants were known, grew to | | | | Eventually they managed to settle in a town they |
| have more than 300,000 inhabitants and seemed to | | | | called Thurii, which in due course became an important |
| have had pleasure seeking as their main focus. They | | | | Roman settlement in the region (the Romans having |
| were known far and wide for their luxurious habits, and | | | | defeated the Ancient Greeks to rule the area). |
| the people of Sybaris indulged themselves in every | | | | Thurii grew and did very well for itself for several |
| way possible. It was said that they had such a | | | | centuries, but eventually (in the 7th century) it too |
| comfortable lifestyle couldn't sleep properly if there | | | | became abandoned, for reasons that are slightly |
| was so much as a screwed up rose petal in their bed. | | | | unclear - the Roman empire by now was largely in the |
| To pass the time and provide themselves with | | | | hands of ferocious tribes and the glory days of the |
| entertainment the Sybarites taught their horses to | | | | Ancient Roman Empire were also a distant memory. |
| dance to pipe music. Very impressive - until the city | | | | Thurii also disappeared into the ground, and it is only in |
| was invaded. The enemy simply sent their pipe band | | | | the twentieth century that the history of this |
| ahead of them, so instead of carrying the soldiers to | | | | remarkable community was uncovered. Traces of the |
| war the horses started dancing around! | | | | original settlements have now been identified and |
| Unfortunately jealousy got the better of the | | | | excavated in southern Italy, and visitors can marvel at |
| neighbouring colonies who decided to attack Sybaris. In | | | | the extraordinary history of this town that twice |
| the 6th century the neighbouring Crotonians attacked | | | | become an important regional centre and twice was |
| and looted the city, then to finish the job they diverted | | | | completely removed from the face of the earth. |