Pre-Roman Neapolis (2 ene 507 año aC – 1 ene 326 año aC)

Descripción:

Neapolis was founded by the Cumaean aristocracy expelled by the tyrant Aristodemus after the victory of Aricia in 507 BC. These oligarchs decided to establish Neapolis as a second Cumae, similar to the city from whence they came. The original center of Parthenope was called Palaipolis, and survived as a second peripheral pole of Neapolis. The new city complex was built on a plateau, and swamps made routes to the hinterland difficult, preventing possession of extensive agricultural lands, making Neapolis focus on the sea and trade for its livelihood.

Neapolis was soon able to replace Cumae in maritime trade and take control of the sea from the Cumaean gulf to the Neapolitan gulf. Its commercial success was made possible thanks to the decline of the tyranny of the Deinomenids in Syracuse in 466 BC and the abandonment of Ischia by the Syracusan garrison due to a volcanic eruption. The immediate occupation of Ischia by Neapolis indicates the tensions between the city and the Syracusans.

The Athenian soon created a network of commercial relations in the Tyrrhenian Sea, with interest in Campania due to the need for foodstuffs to satisfy the needs of an increasing population. The results of their presence were numerous, and include great development in the port area and closer ties with centers in flat areas to cultivate wheat. Syracusan attempts to dominate the Tyrrhenian Sea continued even after the tyrants, providing an obstacle between Athens and the thriving Campanian market. In 413 BC an Athenian expedition against Syracuse in the Peloponnesian War ended in disaster. This, along with a plague, substantially undermined the economy of Attica as relations between Neapolis and Athens decreased.

At the end of the 5th century BC, Naples was severely threatened by the expanding Samnites tribe. In 423 BC, the great Etruscan stronghold Capua was conquerer and in 421 BC Cumae capitulated after a siege. Neapolis managed to maintain its safely by admitting Oscan elites to main public offices, but this damaged its relations with Cumae. In the second half of the 4th century, during the First Samnite War, Neapolis made an alliance with the Samnites against Rome. In 327 BC the Second Samnite War resulted from tensions between Romans and Neapolis, and the Roman army besieged Neapolis. Samnite and Nolan soldiers defended the city, and after a year-long siege betrayal lead to surrender to the Romans.

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