Pyrgi
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'''Pyrgi''' was an ancient [[Etruscan civilization|Etruscan]] port [[Latium]], central [[Italy]], to the south west of [[Caere]]. Its location is now occupied by the burgh of [[Santa Severa]].
The name is Greek origin. Remains of its defensive walls exist in polygonal blocks of limestone and sandstone, neatly jointed. They enclosed a rectangular area some 200 m in width and at least 220 m in length. The south-west extremity has probably been destroyed by the sea. It contained a rich temple of Leucothea, the foundation of which was ascribed to the [[Pelasgi]]. It was plundered by [[Dionysius I of Syracuse|Dionysius]] in 384 BC. Later it became dependent on Caere, though it is not probable that it was originally merely the harbour of Caere; [[Alsium]] was c. 8 km to the south.
[[Image:PyrgiTheban.jpg|thumb|Detail of clay group with mythological scene from the [[Theban cycle]], from the area of temple A at Pyrgi, mid-fifth century BC.]]
The [[ancient Rome|Romans]] established a colony here, which is first mentioned in 191 BC. Later still it supplied fish to the capital, and became a favorite summer resort, as did also Punicum ([[Santa Marinella]]), 8 km to the north-west, where are many remains of villas. Both were stations on the coast road ([[Via Aurelia]]).
In 1957 excavations found the remains of a large temple with three cells. The [[Pyrgi Tablets]], containing texts in Phoenician and Etruscan languages, were found here in 1964.
==References==
{{1911}}
==External links==
*[http://www.museosantasevera.org/engver/castello.html Article and panoramic views on the Museo Santa Severa site]
[[Category:Etruscan sites]]
{{Etruria-stub}}
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