Tauromenium
Tauromenium, located near the east coast of Sicily on the slopes of Mount Taurus, has a rich history that dates back to its establishment in 396 BC. Originally founded by the Carthaginian Himilco, it was built on the site of an earlier settlement and was subsequently occupied by Dionysius I of Syracuse. The town has seen various rulers over the centuries, including local tyrants and figures such as Andromachus, who was a prominent opponent of tyranny and supporter of the Corinthian leader Timoleon. Tauromenium eventually became part of the dominion of King Hiero II of Syracuse and was integrated into the Roman Empire, achieving the status of a federated state.
Historically significant events include its occupation during the First Slave Revolt and a notable naval battle in 36 BC where Sextus Pompeius defeated Octavian, who later established a Roman colony there. The town thrived, particularly during the imperial period, thanks to its renowned wines. Today, notable archaeological remnants include a large ancient theater, a Roman forum, and a bathhouse, highlighting its historical significance and cultural heritage. The town reflects a blend of Greek and Roman influences, making it a fascinating subject of study for those interested in ancient history.
Tauromenium
(Taormina)
A town near the east coast of Sicily, on the slopes of Mount Taurus (Tauro), above the stream Tauromenius (Selina). The settlement was established in 396 BC, on the site of a small previous habitation center, by the Carthaginian Himilco. According to Diodorus (although the course of events is obscure), Himilco populated his new foundation with Sicels who had been settled by Dionysius I of Syracuse at Naxos (Punta di Schiso—ten miles to the south, on the coast below), but had subsequently abandoned his cause (and Naxos was destroyed). In 394/3, however, Dionysius besieged Tauromenium and, under an agreement with the Carthaginians, occupied the place, dispossessing most of the Sicel settlers in favor of his own ex-soldiers. In 358 some of the survivors from the destruction of Naxos were gathered together and settled at Tauromenium by Andromachus, father of the historian Timaeus (c 356–260) who was the town's most distinguished citizen. A powerful opponent of tyrants, Andromachus supported Timoleon, the Corinthian who put an end to autocratic rule at Syracuse (344).
When this autocracy was revived, however, by Agathocles, the Tauromenians, too, came under his domination (316). Subsequently they were ruled by a local autocrat Tyndarion (c 285), who facilitated the invasion of Sicily by Pyrrhus of Epirus and allowed him to land at his harbor (278). Later Tauromenium formed part of the dominions of King Hiero II of Syracuse—by agreement with the Romans (263)—and when Syracuse passed into Roman hands Tauromenium went with it (211), obtaining the rank of a federated state (civitas foederata). During the First Slave Revolt it was occupied by the rebels, but recaptured in 132. In 36 Sextus Pompeius inflicted a serious naval defeat on Octavian (the future Augustus) off the shore of Tauromenium, but when, shortly afterward, Octavian had won the final victory, he established a Roman colony of ex-soldiers at the town, which subsequently prospered during the imperial epoch, largely because of its choice wines.
The Greek agora then became the Roman forum. A large bathhouse of the first or second century AD has been excavated to the north of this space, and to its west is a small theater or Odeon. A hundred yards to the east is the principal surviving ancient monument, a spacious theater, which was erected in about the second century AD on the site of a Hellenistic building, and subsequently adapted for use as an amphitheater. Below the forum is a brick wall (known as the Naumachia) which formed the outer wall of a large cistern, brick built and stuccoed and divided into two aisles, is to be seen in the Giafari district not far away. The temple of Apollo Archegetes, shown by local coinage to have been the city's principal patron, has not been located.