Full citation – Référence complète:
Costanza, S. “Diomede, l’Adriatico e Siracusa”. Živa Antika / Antiquité Vivante 74.1-2 (2024), pp. 133–146.

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.47054/ZIVA24741-2133c

Downoad this article – Téléchargez cet article

Abstract. – The archaic colonization in the Ionian and Adriatic Sea is a high turning point in the political and institutional organization of the Greek world. Settlements in western areas by Greek colonists were of great importance. Ancient myths also reflect the importance of this westward expansionist policy. It is noteworthy to emphasize the founding myths associated with Diomedes, known as a colonist in Apulia, Veneto and Dalmatia. A tradition starting from Mimnermus of Colophon (7th century B.C.) constantly links this hero of the Trojan cycle to the Adriatic area. He is also said to have died on the Diomedean Islands, which are identified with Pelagosa (Croatian Palagruža) and the Tremiti Islands. The interests of the Western Greeks (Aetolia) and Sicilians (Syracuse) aimed at establishing mythological connections between the Hellenic mainland and the Ionian-Adriatic world through the attractive role assigned to a major figure of Greek mythology.
Key words. – Diomedes, Adriatic, Greek colonies, Argolis, Aetolia.