Motya
Motya, an ancient city located on an islet off the west coast of Sicily, was colonized by the Phoenicians around 700 BC and became a significant stronghold of the Carthaginian empire. The city was historically connected to the mainland by a mile-long artificial causeway and showcased considerable Greek influence, evident in its coinage from the fifth century that featured both Punic and Greek elements. Notable for its naval and commercial prowess, Motya was fortified with walls and towers, dating back to the early sixth century. In 397 BC, the city experienced a devastating siege by Dionysius I of Syracuse, leading to significant destruction and the eventual flight of survivors who founded nearby Lilybaeum. Archaeological findings on the island include Phoenician sacred buildings, a well-preserved harbor basin known as the Cothon, and remnants of a habitation center, underscoring the city's historical importance. Despite its destruction, Motya remains a critical site for understanding the cultural interactions and conflicts of ancient civilizations in the region.
Subject Terms
Motya
(Mozia)
A city on an islet (San Pantaleo) off the west coast of Sicily, to which it was joined by a mile-long artificial causeway across a shallow lagoon. Colonized by the Phoenicians shortly before 700 BC—the site, as has now been discovered, of a Bronze Age settlement—Motya became one of the naval, military and commercial strongholds of the Carthaginian empire, undergoing, however, at the same time, considerable Greek influence, as is shown by its coins (from the fifth century onward) which combine Punic (later Greek) inscriptions with Greek designs. A famous Carthaginian ship, found in the waters of Motya, has now been taken to the museum at Marsala. Diodorus describes at length how in 397 Dionysius I of Syracuse besieged and captured the city (by the employment of advanced siege equipment), inflicting massacres and crucifixions; whereupon the survivors fled to found Lilybaeum (Marsala), five miles away on the mainland.
The entire perimeter of Motya island, extending for about a mile and a half, was surrounded by walls equipped with about twenty square towers, which seem to date from the early sixth century but were subsequently reinforced. In the northern part of the island (and notably on the Cappidazzu site), remains of Phoenician sacred buildings dating from before 700 have been uncovered. In the fifth century the growing population required a new mainland necropolis in the Birgi district, linked to the island by a stone-paved rubble causeway.
Motya itself, at the time of its siege by Dionysius I, contained many lofty buildings. After its capture, however, the site was never built over again in its entirety (to the advantage of archaeologists). Nevertheless, remains of a habitation center of limited dimensions, including a large three-naved building, confirm that life did not altogether cease; and a fine Greek marble statue of a youth may also postdate Dionysius' destruction, although this is disputed. The Cothon or harbor basin has been carefully examined. It apparently originated in a natural depression, which was subsequently lined with stone and connected with the lagoon by a channel, cut shortly after 500 and flanked by wide quays. However, the channel was allowed to silt up a century later.