Crotone

Crotone (ancient Crotona), town in southern Italy, in the Calabria region on the Gulf of Taranto. It has an excellent small harbour, is a centre of trade in agricultural produce, and has factories producing chemicals. Notable buildings include a cathedral and a 14th-century castle.

Ancient Crotona was founded by the Achaean Greeks around 710 bc near the present-day site and soon became rich and powerful. It produced many famous athletes in the ancient Olympic Games, including Milo, famed for his great strength. About 530 bc, Pythagoras, the Greek mathematician and philosopher, established an esoteric brotherhood in the city. As early as the 5th century bc, the medical school at Crotona enjoyed great fame. The city became a Roman possession in 277 bc. Population (1990 estimate) 61,700.