The Phlegraean Fields an historical background

The Greeks gave this area the name Campi Flegrei, <burning fields>. It went from beyond the present Campi Flegrei to the Vesuvius. Greek mythology placed the battle between the Giants and the Olympic gods here, probably relating it to the occurrence of volcanic activity. Since no volcanic eruption seems to have occurred during Greek time (except the activity in Ischia), the Greeks probably adapted legends of the earlier inhabitants to their own mythology.

The first Greek colonies were founded around the middle of the VIII century BC in Ischia and Cuma. One of the first occurrences of the Greek alphabet was found in Cuma on the so-called Cup of Nestor. The Greek colony of Cuma achieved its maximum power when it allied with the Greeks of Syracuse. Together they defeated a coalition of the Etruscans and Carthaginians.

After the naval battle of Cuma, the Greeks of Syracuse settled in Ischia, but were driven out by a volcanic eruption on the island.

Campi Flegrei fell under the influence of Rome during the IV and III centuries BC, and after the Samnite wars it became the ruler of peninsular Italy. Campi Flegrei was a malarial area covered by marshes and by a thick forest called Silva Gallinaria. After the destruction of the main part of the Silva Gallinaria, to build up the fleet of Augustus, the Phegraean area became a tourist area for Roman aristocracy. The emperor's palace, which was located in Baia, is now 8 metres under water.

Little is known of the area during the Middle Ages, when part of the coast was submerged. The villages suffered from Arab incursions until they became part of the Kingdom of Naples. Since then, the area of Campi Flegrei has followed the tribulations of the rest of southern Italy. Most of the district remained a malarial swampland until the beginning of the 20th century.

from: Campi Flegrei Campania Felix by Giacomelli, Scandone

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