CUMAE, Cuma, or in Greek Kυ∕zy, the oldest and one of the most important of the Greek colonies in Italy, was situated on the shore of Campania, between the lakes Acherusia and Liternus, and about six miles north of Baiae. The most generally received opinion is, that Cumae was founded by a joint colony, partly from the AEolian Cumae or Cyme and partly from Chalcis in Euboea, who agreed that they should call the city by the name of one of the parent states, while it should take rank as a colony of the other. The date of its foundation is unknown; but it is certain that Cumae had attained a high degree of prosperity while Rome was still struggling into existence. In the 8th century b.c. it had extended its power on every side into Campania; and, like Sybaris and Crotona, had begun to plant flourishing colonies, and establish itself besides as a maritime power. Of its colonies the most prosperous was Neapolis, destined to survive as the modern Naples; and among its maritime stations were the harbours of Dicaearchia (Puteoli) and Misenum. The first event which led to the decline of Cumae was the establishment of the supremacy of the Etruscans by sea; but a severer blow still was the invasion of Campania by that people and their allies about the year 522 b.c. This attack was repelled, though at a great loss to the Cumaeans, chiefly by the ability of Aristodemus, who overthrew the existing government, and established a tyranny, which endured for twenty years. At the end of that period he was driven out of the city by the nobles, who had once more become powerful. Twenty-two years later the Cumaeans, unable any longer of themselves to resist the growing power of the Tuscans, called in the aid of Hero of Syracuse, and with his assistance defeated their opponents. In 520 b.c. ...