Neapolis (present Naples), founded around the ninth century BCE as a Greek colony, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Originally named Parthenope and later Neápolis (English: New City), it is among the foremost cities of Magna Graecia, playing a key role in the merging of Greek culture into Roman society.The new city grows rapidly due to the influence of the powerful Greek city-state of Siracusa, and at some point the new and old cities on the Gulf of Naples merge into one.

The city becomes an ally of the Roman Republic against Carthage; the strong walls surrounding Neápolis stop the invading forces of the Carthaginian general Hannibal from entering.

During the Samnite Wars, the city, now a bustling center of trade, is captured by the Samnites; however, the Romans soon capture the city from them and make it a Roman colony.