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Paestum is noted
for its splendidly preserved Greek temples. The ancient Greek part
of Paestum consists of two sacred areas containing three Doric
temples in a remarkable state of preservation. During the ensuing
Roman period a typical forum and town layout grew up between the two
ancient Greek sanctuaries. Of the three temples, the
Temple of Athena
(the so-called Temple of Ceres) and the Temple of Hera I (the
so-called Basilica) date from the 6th century
bc, while
the Temple of Hera II (the so-called Temple of Neptune) was probably
built about 460 bc
and is the best preserved of the three.
The Temple of Peace in the forum is
a Corinthian-Doric building begun perhaps in the 2nd century
bc. Traces
of a Roman amphitheatre and other buildings, as well as intersecting
main streets, have also been found. The circuit of the town walls,
which are built of travertine blocks and are 15–20 feet (5–6 m)
thick, is about 3 miles (5 km) in circumference. In July 1969 a
farmer uncovered an ancient Lucanian tomb that contained Greek
frescoes painted in the early classical style. Paestum’s
archaeological museum contains
these and other treasures from the site. |
