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Conclusions
Looking at the present-day coastline of Calabria, so uniform and linear, virtually
without any natural bays that can be used as harbors, without benefit of lagoons or river
estuaries that can be used as port-canals, it is difficult to understand how the region was
an active center of maritime activity in Greco-Roman times. The Ionian coastline is
indeed almost entirely flat and sandy, with the remarkable exception of Croton. For the
sailor who leaves Tarentum heading to the Strait of Messina, modern Croton offers the
only natural harbor along the Ionian coastline before reaching Rhegium.
Having considered the historical, archaeological, and geographical data currently
available, it is possible to conclude that in the last 20 centuries the rivers’ courses in the
region have changed. Deforestation seems to have been the main cause of this dramatic
environmental shift. The presence of tree branches and leaves lessen the impact of heavy
rain falling on the ground; their roots solidify the soil, limiting the effect of water
erosion (especially near riverbeds), and the topsoil formed by trees can absorb a great
quantity of rain. It is impressive to see, on a satellite map of Calabria, that the coastal
areas close to the ancient settlements are barren and dry, while the forests of the interior
at higher altitudes and at greater distance from human settlements still appear mostly
intact. As more trees were cut further and further away from the cities, the faster the soil
was washed off the flanks of Calabria’s hills and mountains, which, due to their steep
slope, intensified the negative effect of rainfall and river erosion. In this way, erosion
debris was carried downstream to the rivers’ estuaries, covering with sediment the
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