Sicily (ancient world)
Sicily, known in ancient times as Trinacria or Sikelia, is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with a rich and complex history shaped by various cultures. Its name is derived from its triangular shape, and it was historically inhabited by three main pre-Greek peoples: the Siculi (or Sicels), the Sicans, and the Elymians. The island was a hub of trading activity during the Bronze Age, notably attracting Mycenaean traders and later undergoing significant Greek colonization starting around 735 BC, with cities like Naxos and Syracuse emerging as key centers. The Phoenicians also settled in western Sicily, leading to alliances with the Elymians.
Throughout its history, Sicily was a site of conflict, particularly during the Peloponnesian War when Athens attempted to exert control over Syracuse. The island changed hands multiple times, witnessing battles between Carthaginian forces and local leaders like Dionysius I of Syracuse. Ultimately, after the First Punic War, Sicily became Rome's first overseas province, vital for grain production. Despite Roman administrative control, Greek culture persisted, and the island faced challenges such as slave rebellions and political strife during the late Roman Republic. Notably, the island remained a culturally rich melting pot, reflecting the diverse influences that shaped its ancient heritage.
Sicily (ancient world)
Sicilia, Sikelia, Sikanie, originally Trinacria or Thrinacia, a name derived from its triangular shape
Separated from the Italian peninsula by the narrows which bore its name (now the Strait of Messina), Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, with an area of 9,830 square miles. Its long and varied pre-history is extensively illustrated by the contents of Sicilian museums. Ancient writers distinguish between three main pre-Greek peoples, Siculi or Sicels in the east (supposedly late comers from Italy, from whom the name of Sicily was derived), Sicans in the west-center (hence the island's name Sikanie in the Odyssey), and Elymians to the west (credited with a Trojan origin).
In the later second millennium BC, during the Bronze Age, Mycenaean traders visited Sicily; and from c 735 extensive Greek colonization was undertaken, beginning with Naxos (Capo Schiso; from Chalcis in Euboea) and Syracuse (Siracusa; from Corinth). Meanwhile the Phoenicians settled in the western portion of the island, often in alliance with the Elymians. Although the Carthaginians, who succeeded their Phoenician forebears, maintained the defence of this territory (c 580, c 510), they were decisively defeated by Gelon (who had moved his capital from Acragas [Agrigento] to Syracuse) and Theron of Acragas at Himera (Imera) in 480.
During the Peloponnesian War the Athenians twice intervened against Syracuse (427–24, 415–413), on the second occasion with the disastrous results immortalized by Thucydides. Following two successive Carthaginian invasions of the island (409, 406), Dionysius I of Syracuse (406–367) resumed hostilities against Carthage in no less than four successive wars. They were ultimately indecisive, but Dionysius maintained control over most of the island, and so did other Syracusan leaders after him, Timoleon (d. 334) and Agathocles (317–289). An invasion by Pyrrhus of Epirus (278/76) proved abortive, and after the First Punic War (264–241) the greater part of Sicily became Rome's first overseas province, with the exception of Syracuse under Hiero II (275–215), which was however, incorporated in the province after his death (211) and became its capital (one of the two financial officers [quaestors] resided at Lilybaeum [Marsala]).
Immensely important to Rome as a source of grain, Sicily was ravaged by two slave rebellions (135/32, 104–100) and plundered by the governor Gaius Verres (73–71), who was attacked by Cicero in a series of famous speeches. Julius Caesar granted the island Latin rights (according to which the annually elected civic officials became Roman citizens), but it became a battlefield after his death (43) when Sextus Pompeius seized Messana (Messina) and cut off the grain supply of Rome. Then he was finally defeated in 36 off Naulochus [Venetico Marina?] by Octavian (the future Augustus), who subsequently established a number of Roman colonies; but the language of the island as a whole remained Greek. In AD 126 Hadrian climbed Mount Aetna (Etna) to see the sunrise.