| Castles, resort and hotels list
in Syracuse |
| 4
stars Charming Hotel |
 Hotel Lady Lusya - Siracusa |
| Hotel
Lady Lusya is a charm Hotel in a historic villa (dating back to the XV-XVIII century). The
lo... |
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| The city of Syracuse, in a splendid
position in the E part of the Sici1ian coast, stretches out over the sea with the
island of Ortygia, where the major testimonies of its glorious past are to be found.
Ortygia is connected by a bridge to the mainland, where the modem city extends. According
to the 5th c. BC historian Thucydides the ancient city was founded in 734-733 BC by a
group of Corinthian settlers led by the oecist Archias. It took its name from a near. by
marsh called Syraka. Very soon Syracuse became one of the most powerful cities in Sicily.
Its expansionist policy began between the 7th and 6th c. BC and led to the foundation of
the colonies of Akrai (663 BC), Kasmenai (643) and Kamarina (598), which were to assume a
role of primary importance in the defence of the surrounding territory . At first, power
was wielded in Syracuse by the Gamoroi (aristocrats and landowners); subsequently, at the
beginning of the 5th c. BC, it was exercised more democratically. In the mid-th c. the
retum of the aristocrats and the establishment of the tyranny of the Deinomenids of Gela
coincided with a period of expansion of the city, which set itself at the head of the
Hellenist settlements of Magna Graecia in the struggle against the Carthaginians,
defeating them at the famous Battle of Himera (480 BC), with the city of Agrigento as an
ally. In the second phase of the Peloponnesian War Athens, jealous of Syracuse's econornic
and military expansion, launched against it a powerful offensive with a naval expedition
led by Nicias Lamachos and Alcibiades. Syracuse succeeded in defeating the Athenians,
who were annihilated on the banks of the Assinaros., near Eloro (Helorus). The
architect of the victory was the democratic faction, which took control of the town. But
the Carthaginians retumed to the attack and destroyed Selinunte (409 BC), compelling
Syracuse to an agreed surrender . When Dionysius I came to power (405 BC), the
Carthaginian offensive started again but was held back by a pestilence which proved to be
a prelude to peace. Clashes continued in the following years until a new pact was agreed
upon in 392: Dionysius obtained control of the Sicel toWns, which previously had been
independent; Carthage kept its domination of W Sicily. This was the moment of Syracuse's
greatest splendour, and it extended the sphere of its influence as far as S and Central
Italy. On Dionysius' death he was succeeded by his son Dionysius II. New intemal conflicts
broke out and the Syracusans tumed for help against the tyrant to their mother-city
Corinth, which in 344 despatched to Sicily an expedition under Timoleon. The Corinthian
leader defeated Dionysius and peace terms were agreed. In 339 Timoleon had to face an
offensive by the Carthaginians which ended in their debacle near the River Krimisos (341
BC). Timoleon now devoted himself to the restoration of order in Sicily, the
recolonization of the countryside, and the strengthening of the Greek element, while
maintaining a moderate political stance. He was succeeded on his death by Agathocles, the
leader of the radical democratic party, who got rid of the oligarchs and in 307, during
yet another war with the Carthaginians, adopted the title of King. One year lat er,
having won the war, he became master of the whole island. |
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