Gravisca (Cravsca in Etruscan and Graviscae Latin[1]) was the port of the Etruscan city of Tarquinii, situated 8 km west of the city center.[2][3]
The Etruscan settlement, occupied ca. sixth to third centuries BC, had four principal occupational phases from ca. 600 to 250 B.C.[4] It was superseded by the establishment of a colonia of Roman citizenship at the site in 181 BC.[5] The port functioned as an emporion and there is ample evidence for merchants and perhaps Greek artisans based at the site.[6] The cults of numerous Greek gods, including Aphrodite, Hera,[7] Demeter, and Apollo, are attested.
The port is mentioned by name in book 10, line 23 of the Aeneid.[8]
References
42°12′46″N 11°42′37″E / 42.21278°N 11.71028°E / 42.21278; 11.71028