Ancient Syracuse

Ancient Syracuse PDF

Author: Richard Evans

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2016-03-22

Total Pages: 235

ISBN-13: 1317181352

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Syracuse possesses a unique place in the history of the ancient Mediterranean because of its contribution to Greek culture and political thought and practice. Even in the first century BC Cicero could still declare ’You have often heard that of all the Greek cities Syracuse is the greatest and most beautiful.’ Sicily’s strategic location in the Mediterranean brought the city prosperity and power, placing it in the first rank of states in the ancient world. The history and governance of the city were recorded from the fifth century BC and the volume of literary sources comes close to matching the records of Athens or Rome. Combining literary and material evidence this monograph traces the history of Syracuse, offering new arguments about the date of the city’s foundation, and continues through the fifth century when, as a democracy, Syracuse’s military strength grew to equal that of Athens or Sparta, surpassing them in the early fourth century under the tyrant Dionysius I. From ca. 350 BC, however, the city’s fortunes declined as the state was wracked with civil strife as the tyranny lost control. The result was a collapse so serious that the city faced complete and imminent destruction.

Syracuse, City of Legends

Syracuse, City of Legends PDF

Author: Jeremy Dummett

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2010-03-30

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 0857730614

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Dubbed 'the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all' by Cicero, Syracuse also boasts the richest history of anywhere in Sicily. Syracuse, City of Legends - the first modern historical guide to the city - explores Syracuse's place within the island and the wider Mediterranean and reveals why it continues to captivate visitors today, more than two and a half millennia after its foundation. For more than 1600 years, from its settlement by Greeks in 733 BC, Syracuse was the leading city in Sicily and at times one of the most powerful in the world. As a Greek city-state it competed with Athens and Carthage and was for a while an important ally of Rome. When Sicily became Rome's first province, Syracuse was the island's capital and was an important centre for early Christianity. Under Byzantine rule, the Emperor Constans II even moved his court to Syracuse for five years. Capture by the Arabs in 878 AD marked the end of ancient Syracuse but the city continued to evolve and during the Spanish era Caravaggio created one of his masterpieces, The Burial of Santa Lucia, in the city. After a devastating earthquake in 1693, a major rebuilding programme gave the city the characteristic Baroque appearance it retains today. Over its long and colourful life, Syracuse has been home to many creative figures, including Archimedes, the greatest mathematician of the ancient world, as well as host to Plato, Scipio Africanus, conqueror of Hannibal, and Caravaggio, who have all contributed to the rich history and atmosphere of this beguiling and distinctive Sicilian city. Generously illustrated, Syracuse, City of Legends also offers detailed descriptions of the principal monuments from each period in the city's life, explaining their physical location as well as their historical context. This vivid and engaging history weaves together the history, architecture and archaeology of Syracuse and will be an invaluable companion for anyone visiting the city as well as a compelling introduction to its ancient and modern history.

Ancient Syracuse

Ancient Syracuse PDF

Author: Richard J. Evans

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781472419378

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2 The Deinomenid Rulers in Fifth Century BC Literature -- 3 Ancient Literary Sources for the Deinomenid Tyranny -- 4 The Dating of the Damareteion Coinage -- 5 Extraordinary Trophies: Syracusan Exhibitionism after Victory over the Athenians -- 6 The Chief Sources for the Life and Death of Dion -- Bibliography -- Index

Ancient Syracuse (Classic Reprint)

Ancient Syracuse (Classic Reprint) PDF

Author: Enrico Mauceri

Publisher:

Published: 2015-08-07

Total Pages: 96

ISBN-13: 9781332368600

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Excerpt from Ancient Syracuse The origin of the famous city, which was the nursery of Hellenic civilization in the Occident, is lost in legend. It welcomed the first Siculi (recent archeological discovery confirming the vague reference of Thucydides), and later very probably the Etoli, who led the way to the definite and complete immigration which occured in the eighth century B. C. The beautiful suburban ne-cropoli of Plemmiro, of Cozzo, of Pantano, and of Thap-sos, as well as tombs found in the neighborhood of Or-tigia and of Xeapoli, together with The rich pottery and other material shown in the Syracuse museum, attest its historical reality. The date of the real foundation commonly accepted on the faith of the great historian of the Pelopennesian War, is 731 B. C., but whether or not the author be that legendary Archia related by the same Thucydides is of little matter. Certain it is that Syracuse (lu/saxotrat) (so called, according to some, from a Phoenician word meaning eastern site, according to others referring to the neighboring marsh) always recognized Corinth as its mother country, towards whom their thoughts went out in good and bad fortune, and with whom they maintained an unchanging relation and affection. The development which very shortly the new city took on was remarkable, so much so as to feel the necessity of using some of its surplus population in the establishment of colonies at Akrai, Casmene and Camarina, and ro make laws exemplary for their juridic wisdom and equitable spirit, such as the Dioclee, so called from the name of the famous legislator. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

The Tyrants of Syracuse Volume II

The Tyrants of Syracuse Volume II PDF

Author: Jeff Champion

Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Published: 2012-07-19

Total Pages: 472

ISBN-13: 184468296X

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This is the story of one of the most important classical cities, Syracuse, and its struggles (both internal and external) for freedom and survival. Situated at the heart of the Mediterranean, Syracuse was caught in the middle as Carthage, Pyrrhus of Epirus, Athens and then Rome battled to gain control of Sicily. The threat of expansionist enemies on all sides made for a tumultuous situation within the city, resulting in repeated coups that threw up a series of remarkable tyrants, such as Gelon, Timoleon and Dionysius. In this first volume Jeff Champion traces the course of Syracuse's wars under the tyrants from the Battle of Himera (480 BC) against the Carthaginians down to the death of Dionysius I (367 BC), whose reign proved to be the high tide of the city's power and influence. One of the highlights along the way is the city's heroic resistance to, and eventual decisive defeat of, the Athenian expeditionary force that besieged them for over two years (415-413 BC), an event with massive ramifications for the Greek world. This is the eventful life story of one of the forgotten major powers of the ancient Mediterranean world.

Water Management in Ancient Greek Cities

Water Management in Ancient Greek Cities PDF

Author: Dora P. Crouch

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 1993-06-24

Total Pages: 406

ISBN-13: 0199728216

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Focusing on the Mediterranean area where water management is crucial, this pioneering study is the first to show how the supply, distribution, and drainage of water contributed to the urbanization of ancient cities. Drawing from classical archaeology, the theory and history of urbanization, geology, and hydraulic engineering, Crouch examines water-system elements, including springs, fountains, wells, channels and drains, latrines, laundry, and dishwashing, as they relate to each other and to the physical, historical, and social bases of ancient Greek cities. Studying numerous sites including Pompeii, Pergamon, Athens, Samos, Delphi, and Corinth, she concludes that increased knowledge and skill in management of water contributed directly to the urbanization of the ancient Greek world. Illustrated with excellent photographs and line drawings, the discussions of supply, distribution, and drainage of water are organized topically, rather than chronologically or by site, offering an excellent example of the interdisciplinary approach. Crouch's study raises stimulating questions for further research, indicates entirely new directions for established academic disciplines, and suggests useful procedures for modern cities facing problems of water supply and management.

...Ancient Syracuse;

...Ancient Syracuse; PDF

Author: Enrico Mauceri

Publisher: Legare Street Press

Published: 2023-07-18

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781019880913

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Enrico Mauceri provides a comprehensive overview of the ancient city of Syracuse, which was a center of culture, commerce, and power in ancient Greece and Rome. He discusses the city's history, art, architecture, religion, politics, and society, drawing on various sources and interpretations to create a vivid and informative portrait of this fascinating place. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

All Things Ancient Greece [2 volumes]

All Things Ancient Greece [2 volumes] PDF

Author: James W. Ermatinger

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2022-10-11

Total Pages: 641

ISBN-13: 1440874549

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As an invaluable resource for students and general audiences investigating Ancient Greek culture and history, this encyclopedia provides a thorough examination of the Mediterranean world and its influence on modern society. All Things Ancient Greece examines the history and cultural life of Ancient Greece until the death of Philip II of Macedon in 336 BCE. The encyclopedia shows how the various city-states developed from the Bronze Age to the end of the Classical Age, influencing the Greek world and beyond. The cultural achievements of the Greeks detailed in this two-volume set include literature, politics, medicine, religion, and the arts. This work has entries on the various city-states, regions, battles, culture, and ideas that helped shape the ancient Greek world and its societies. Each entry delves into detailed topics with suggested readings. Many entries include sidebars containing primary documents from ancient sources that explore ancillary ideas, biographies, and specific examples from literature and philosophy. Readers, both students of ancient history and a general audience, are encouraged to interact with the material either chronologically, thematically, or geographically.