Level C

The Hellenistic Theatre of Locri is one of the best preserved in Calabria. Among the exhibits that come from the area of the theatre are four figurines decorated with a head of Silenus, belonging to the oldest phase of the complex, dating to the end of the 4th century BC. Particularly important is a statue of Aphrodite Urania, sitting on a throne, supporting her feet on a turtle. Still coming from the area of the theatre, there are remains of richly decorated theatrical masks and caryatids.

The urban design of Locri had blocks divided into lots for homes and shops, objects for domestic use, and some pinakes with representations of furniture on display. The crafts include terracotta artifacts found in the artisan district called “Ceramic”.

Necropolis of Metauros and Locri Lucifero

In the Necropolis of Metauros (Gioia Tauro – RC) there have been found around 1500 tombs dating from the 7th and 6th BC. The most common funeral practice was cremation: the ashes of the dead were collected in large containers originally used for storing food. From the 6th century BC onwards, cremation was supplanted by the grave: the deceased were buried with containers of perfumed oils, used to prepare the body for the funeral ritual. The presence of the graves could be indicated by stones or signs placed on the surface. The ceramics of the male tombs of the Necropolis of Lucifer (Locri – RC), aimed at the Symposium, as well as the instruments related to athletic activity, are a reflection of the high social role of ancestors.

Female burials were rich in objects dating back to the sphere of beauty. The Museum houses one of the most important collections of the Magna Graecia of bronze mirrors. Another valuable testimony is a container of perfumes with the depiction of a dance.

From the Lucanian colony of Laos (Marcellina – CS) comes the regalia of very rich men dating back to the IV-III century BC. The precious vases of the Symposium and armor are evidence of the high status of the deceased. Dating back to the 4th century BC is also the Necropolis of Inferrata Tower (Castellace – RC): here there is jewelry and lead knives, a sign of high social rank. Along with wine consumption, the consumption of meat was characteristic of the aristocratic classes. Also from Castellace comes an inscription on a bronze plaque dedicated to Heracles of Reggio, a deity worshiped at a shrine in the territory of the Region. Magnificent masterpiece from the Hellenistic period is a glass jar with decoration in gold leaf, from the Necropolis of Varapodio (Oppido Mamertina, RC), which testifies to the high artistic level handicrafts  reached in that time. Of the same necropolis come splendid earrings of gold in the form of a serpent.

From the so-called “Mosaic House” (2nd century BC), located near the ancient Taureana (now Palmi – RC), were found the central part of a mosaic floor depicting a hunting scene in small polychrome tesserae (opus vermiculatum), and a bed of bronze (Kline), reconstructed on the basis of numerous fragments. Always connected to the sphere of the banquet is prized silver discovered in Palmi (RC) box: in all likelihood these objects, produced between 70 and 100 BC, belonged to a wealthy local family. Under one of the cups, there is an engraving which shows the name of the owner.