Italy’s Naples is proudly celebrating the 2,500th anniversary of its foundation by the Greeks, a monumental milestone that underscores its rich Hellenic heritage. At the heart of these commemorations on Sunday was a vibrant tribute to Parthenope, the mythical siren whose legend intertwines with the very birth of Neapolis.
These special events, including the ancient Lampadedromia Neapolitana (torchlight race), are dedicated to Parthenope, a central figure in Greek mythology. As one of the enchanting Sirens, her captivating song and tragic fate are said to have led to her body washing ashore, where Naples was founded. She remains the enduring founding symbol of the city, embodying its connection to the sea and its ancient origins.
Mythology of Parthenope
While Odysseus was journeying home after the Trojan War, he and his crew encountered the sirens. Forewarned by the sorceress Circe, Odysseus ordered his men to plug their ears with beeswax so they couldn’t hear the sirens’ irresistible song, which was so captivating that it caused sailors to crash their ships on rocky shores, leading to their deaths. However, curious to hear their voices, Odysseus had himself tied to the mast of his ship.
At least 200 people participated in the Lampadedromia Neapolitana, a torchlight race dating back to the 5th century BC. This revival of ancient sport is more than just a physical challenge; it’s a living link to Naples’ Greek past, aiming to seamlessly blend athletic prowess with cultural immersion.
The commemorative race was held with athletes in Greek costumes, from Castel dell’Ovo to Santa Lucia and via Partenope, up to Colonna Spezzata. The Lampadedromia, with a competitive race over a distance of 15 kilometers from the Temple of Serapis to Castel dell’Ovo.
Beyond the race, the 2,500th-anniversary celebrations featured a rich program of evocative processions, educational workshops, and theatrical performances. These events, organized by Amartea with sponsorship from the Municipality of Naples, will animate Naples, Casamicciola, and Pozzuoli, offering a unique opportunity to experience the city’s ancient spirit.
As Naples, designated European Capital of Sport 2026, continues to embrace its historical sporting events, the focus on Partenope and the city’s Greek foundation highlights a story of enduring legacy and cultural pride. This year’s festivities promise to be a powerful reminder of how deeply the past is woven into the vibrant fabric of modern Naples.
Naples, the “new city” of ancient Greeks
The name of the city of Naples -Napoli in Italian- is a paraphrase of its ancient Greek name, Neapoli, which literally means “new city,” derived from nea, meaning new, and polis, meaning city.
Founded by ancient Greeks in the first millennium BC, Naples is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban areas in the world. It started as a small port under the name Parthenope, built by sailor merchands from the Greek island of Rhodes in the 8th century BC, but was refounded as Neapolis two centuries later.
The city became an important part of the Magna Graecia, played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society, and was a significant cultural centre under the Romans before becoming one of the wealthiest and more powerful kingdoms of the Italian peninsula during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and eventually uniting with the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.
Related: Greek Language Day to Open Naples’ 2,500-Year Anniversary Celebrations