Greek history and identity on full display at the Lampadedromia in Naples

Last Saturday (26.06.2021), a Lampadedromia (Torch Race) was held in Naples in Italy with great success.

A group of four Oplites (three from Crotone and one from Naples), under the guidance of Antonio Parrotta, were constantly accompanying the Siren Parthenope played by local actress Stefania de Francesco.

Aniello Sicignano and his dynamic group brought a lot of Greek flags at the race which they constantly raising throughout the whole race as it can be seen at the photos.

The evening race started at 19:00 (20:00 Greece time zone) at the Acropolis of Cyme, west of the city.

Plenty of athletes and ordinary people participated in the running event, a total of 21km from the Acropolis up to the finish point at the Rotonda Diaz (Caracciolo seafront).

The award ceremony was held in this ideal procession with the historical origin of Naples (Neapoli in Greek) on full display.

The race this year, due the COVID-19 restrictive measures, was much more simpler than previous ones.

Nonetheless, it was perfectly organised and showcased the willingness of the locals to stay attached to their old Greek origins.

A Greek colony known as Parthenope (Παρθενόπη) was established on the Island of Megaride.

In the 6th century BC, the colony moved to the mainland and was re-founded as Neapolis (Νεάπολις), or "New City."

 The city was an important part of Magna Graecia (Greater Greece) in the southern Italian peninsula, and played a major role in the merging of Greek and Roman society, and was a significant cultural centre under the Romans.

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