Naxos (ancient world)
Naxos, an ancient Greek colony located on a low-lying lava peninsula in Sicily, was founded around 734 BC by settlers from Chalcis in Euboea, led by Theocles. This settlement, named after the Aegean island of Naxos, emerged on a site of earlier human habitation and established itself as a significant religious center with an altar dedicated to Apollo the Founder, where travelers would offer sacrifices. Over time, Naxos was involved in the founding of additional colonies, including Leontini and Catana. The city experienced various periods of upheaval, such as being seized by Hippocrates of Gela and later facing destruction at the hands of Dionysius I of Syracuse during the Peloponnesian War. Despite its challenges, the descendants of Naxians contributed to the founding of Tauromenium (modern-day Taormina). Archaeological remains reveal aspects of Naxos's urban development, including polygonal walls and sanctuary foundations, indicating its historical significance. Additionally, the city is noted for its distinctive pottery that reflects Euboean and Cycladic influences. Today, Naxos serves as a reminder of the complex interactions among ancient Greek colonies and their cultural heritage.
Subject Terms
Naxos (ancient world)
(Punta di Schisò, near Giardini Naxos)
The earliest Greek colony in Sicily. It was situated on a low-lying lava peninsula north of Mount Aetna (Etna), above a small bay that could be used as an anchorage, adjoining the mouth of a stream (Santa Venera). The small Alcantara river is less than a mile away; one or the other of these streams is the Assinos personified on the city's coinage (named as Acesines by Thucydides and Asines by Pliny the Elder).
Naxos was founded on a site of earlier Neolithic, Bronze Age and Sicel habitation by settlers from Chalcis in Euboea, under the leadership of a certain Theocles. The foundation, which was named after Chalcis' ally, the Aegean island of Naxos, took place in 734 BC according to Thucydides, whose date is confirmed by archaeological evidence. Theocles also established an altar of Apollo the Founder or Archegetes on which all Sicilian travelers to Greece offered sacrifice before their departure, so that the altar became the common religious center for the Greek cities on the island. Only five years later Theocles left to found a second colony at Leontini (Carlentini near Lentini), while his compatriot Euarchus simultaneously established a settlement at Catana (Catania). Subsequently a further colony was planted at Callipolis, at an unknown location in the interior. These activities were the major achievement of Sicilian Naxos, which otherwise remained undistinguished.
The town was seized by Hippocrates of Gela c 495/4 and its inhabitants deported by Hiero I to Leontini (and replaced by Dorians) in 476, but ten years later they returned. Their coins of the ensuing period, with heads of Dionysus and figures of Silenus, are of especially beautiful style. During the Peloponnesian War, Naxos supported the Athenian expeditions against Syracuse (427–424, 415–413), whose later monarch Dionysus I took revenge by destroying the city, dispersing its inhabitants, and handing the site over to native Sicels (403). The descendants of the deported Naxians founded Tauromenium (Taormina) on the hill above, but Naxos, too, continued to enjoy a limited existence, resuming coinage under the name of Neopolis (unless this was the place where a further batch of emigrants settled, at Mylae [Milazzo]).
Naxos still displays accurately constructed early polygonal walls, which are rare in western Greek cities. Phases of urban development dating from the initial foundation and from the reconstruction of c 466 can be traced. Remains of a large sanctuary near the adjacent stream may perhaps be identifiable with a temple of Aphrodite mentioned by Appian. A trapezoidal enclosure contains the foundations of further shrines of c 600 and c 525. The altar of Apollo Archegetes is not yet located. A potter's quarter, including a complex of three kilns, has been explored; it produced distinctive wares reminiscent of Euboean and Cycladic models, especially during the early years of the city's existence.