Locri Epizephyrii

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (April 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Epizephyrian Locris, also known as Locri Epizephyrii (Ancient Greek: Λοκροί Ἐπιζεφύριοι, romanized: Lokroí Epizephúrioi, lit. 'western Locrians'), was an ancient city on the Ionian Sea, founded by Greeks coming from Locris at the beginning of the 7th century BC. It is now in an archaeological park near the modern town of Locri.

It was one of the most culturally dazzling cities of Magna Graecia during the Greek Classical and Hellenistic periods and Plato described it as a city "governed by beautiful laws"^[1] It was known throughout the Greek world for innovations and expertise in music and dance, for its victorious athletes in the pan-Hellenic games, for its laws and effective government and for its military achievements.^[2] It has become known in recent times for the special prominence it gave to women.

Locri played a significant and enduring part in the history of Magna Graecia from its foundation to Roman times, which was well documented by later ancient authors and has the added support of contemporary documents found in recent times in the Olympeion.