Taranto
The Tomb of the Athletes is one of the most significant examples of Tarantine funerary architecture from the Archaic period, dating between the late 6th and early 5th centuries BCE. Located at the corner of Via Pitagora and Via Crispi, this chamber tomb features a quadrangular layout and is entirely constructed and paved with regular blocks of carparo stone. Originally, the roof consisted of slabs and architraves made of the same material, supported by two Doric columns aligned at the center of the chamber. Inside, seven sarcophagi are arranged along the walls, echoing the layout of banquet couches (klinai) typical of the andron, the dining hall reserved for men in Archaic Greek homes. This configuration highlights the importance of the symposium in the funerary culture of Taranto during this period. The Tomb of the Athletes is open to the public and serves as a valuable testament to the funerary practices and cultural influences of Archaic Taranto.