Paestum

Paestum, ancient city (fl. 6th century B.C.) situated south of Salerno, southern Italy. Founded by Greek colonists as Posidonia (c.600 B.C.), it became a Roman colony and was renamed in 273 B.C. Over a period of several centuries the silting up of the surrounding River Sele made the vicinity unhealthy, and it was abandoned after being sacked by Saracens in 871. Two 6th-century B.C. Doric temples and one from the 5th century survive; excavations have also revealed a Temple and an amphitheater.