PYRGI (mod: 'St i 1t)  an ancient town of Etruria, Italy, on the south we5tctWt; g `tti . W.N.W. of Caere . The name is Greek (irupyot, tgw,crs); and the place of considerable antiquity . Remains of its defensive walls exist in polygonal blocks of limestone and sandstone, neatly jointed . They enclosed a rectangular area some 200 yds. in width and at least 220 yds. in length . The south-west extremity has probably been destroyed by the sea . It contained a rich temple of Leucothea, the foundation of which was ascribed to the Pelasgi . It was plundered by Dionysius in 384 B.0 Later it became dependent on Caere, though it is not probable that it was originally merely the harbour of Caere; Alsium (q.v.) is a good deal nearer (5 M. south) . The Romans planted a colony here, which is first mentioned in 191 B.C . Later still it supplied fish to the capital, and became a favourite summer resort, as did also Punicum (S . Marinella) 5 m. to the north-west, where are many remains of villas . Both were stations on the coast road (Via Aurelia) .

See H .

Dennis, Cities and Cemeteries of Etruria, i . 289 . (London, 1883) . (T .