Taras (mythology)

Taras (Greek: Τάρας ), a son of Poseidon and the nymph Satyria was a figure from Greek mythology.

According to legend, he was the founder of Greek settlement ( Tarentum, Today: Taranto ), and later the capital of the Magna Graecia. While he was to honor his father Poseidon, a victim brought, suddenly appeared to him a dolphin. He interpreted this as a good sign and an encouragement to found a city.

Even today, a harbor, which is located about 15 km south of Taranto away Torre Saturo is called. The name is from the first town that Taras his mother or his wife Satyria Satureia devoted originate. Here the first settlements of the Spartans had incurred the same, the BC, the city of Taranto took back 706 of the Japygen. Rise and antique splendor followed for the city.

On the coin of the ancient city of Taras, the son of Poseidon on a dolphin, sometimes shown with his trident his father in one hand; the same image is displayed on the modern city emblem.