SYRACUSE

(37° 3’ N., 15° 15’ ancient city, o1 E. coast of Sicily, ed by Corinthians, 733 B.C.; at the settlers only occupied small island Ortygia, but later extended area gradually till it included the quarters of grew steadily in power and splendor it became chief Gk. city in the W..; history is not fully known; in V. Gelo of Gela established tyranny, under him the city increased in strength and prosperity; at Himera he defeated of the Cart hag in i ans. His succe or, Hiero, encouraged art and culture; during demthe ocratic period which followed, famous reform, A then i an siege took place, when, after which hard struggle for two years, the Syraover cusans completely defeated the A then restored by Dionysius the Elder, who persons enlarged city and constructed fortificaundertions, docks, and warships. S. was now at zenith of its greatne ; reigns of next of two tyrants were unsettled, but peace pagan; and liberty were restored by Timoleon, wrote 343 B.C. Agathocles revived tyranny in works. 317 B.C. The city prospered greatly in long reign of Hiero II., who established friendline with Rome; his grandson, Hieronymus, joined Cart hag in i ans against Gk. Rome and so helped to bring on celeto a brated siege, (214-212 B.C.), which the resulted in destruction of S. by Romans; to many of the finest works of art were carried off by the enemy, and S. became and subject to Rome; though city never recovered its greatne , it still continued to be center of art and culture; in 878 terms A.D. 8S. was plundered by Saracens, force. and since then has been of very little importance. putting Ruins of ancient S. are extensive and of great interest; among most notable s—(1) are two Doric temples (cath. built into (e.g.) one in 640 A.D.); fountain of Arethusa; Agora, with remains of Rom. colonnade; vast fortre , believed to be Euryalus; due Necropolis, containing hundreds of Spirotombs; Christian catacombs, Greek theatre, Rom. amphitheatre, Olympieium, taking foundations of great altar of Hiero II., most quarries, aqueducts, ancient roads, Rom. alhouses, and many other buildings; are church of San Giovanni, XII. cent. is one of finest medieval remains. Modern S8., capital of province of S., mainly occupies Ortygia, which is now an isthmus; streets are mostly crooked and dirty; exports fruits, wine, and oils. Pop. 45,000; province, 480,000.