Siponto
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Siponto (Latin: Sipontum) was an ancient port town of Apulia in southern Italy. The town was abandoned after earthquakes in the 13th century; today the area is administered as a frazione of the comune of Manfredonia, in the province of Foggia.
[edit] Geography
Siponto is located around 3 km south of Manfredonia.
[edit] History
According to legend, Sipontum was founded by Diomedes, product of the union of the Homeric hero of the same name with the daughter of the king of the Dauni. Siponto was probably founded by the Dauni, before becoming a flourishing Greek colony and then being conquered by the Samnites.
In 335 BC it was captured by Alexander I, King of Epirus and uncle of Alexander the Great. In 189 BC it became a Roman colony.
According to another legend, Siponto was one of the first episcopal sees in Italy, its bishop being named directly by St. Peter. However, the first known bishop of Siponto is Felix, appointed in 465. In the 9th century the city was occupied for a while by the Saracens, while in 1042 the Italo-Normans made it the seat of a county.
In 1223 the city was damaged by a violent earthquake, followed by another in 1255 which largely destroyed it. King Manfred of Sicily decided to rebuild Siponto in a new location, the modern Manfredonia.
[edit] Notes and references
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