The ancient city of Segesta in Italy, the resort of Sicily
Rating: 9,3/10 (5900 votes)  Segesta is the ancient city of exiles from Troy. The exact date of the foundation of the city is still not reliably known, however, in the 4th century BC. it was already densely populated. The Greek historian Thucydides wrote about the exiles of Troy who crossed the Mediterranean and landed in Sicily, where the cities of Erice and Segestu were founded. Legend has it that Segesta was founded by a certain Achestes – the son of a noble city dweller of Troy Egesta and Krimisus – river god. Since its inception, the city has been at war with the city of Selinunm. The reason for the enmity – unidentified boundaries between cities. In 580 BC. the first clash of cities took place, at that time Segesta emerged victorious. In 415 BC. Segesta was forced to ask for help in the confrontation with Selinunte from Athens, while Selinunte was supported by Syracuse. The Athenians, using the request as a pretext, immediately sent troops to Sicily and laid siege to Syracuse, but suffered a crushing defeat. In 409 BC. again there was a clash between the cities, then Selinunte was besieged and defeated by the Carthaginians, again at the request of Segesta. In 307 BC. most of the inhabitants of Segesta were brutally killed or sold into slavery by Agathodes – a tyrant from Syracuse, since at his request no financial assistance was provided. After this event, the name of the city was changed to Diceopoli ('just a city'). During the First Punic War, occurred in 260 BC, the city of Segesta entered into an alliance with the Romans, who successfully defended it from attempts at conquest by the Carthaginians. The Romans also declared Segesta a 'free city' with significant tax breaks. In 104 BC. a slave revolt broke out in the city, which was brutally suppressed by the Romans after 5 years. In the 5th century AD. Segesta was destroyed by vandals, and she was never able to return to its former glory. A small settlement remained on the site of the city, in which a castle was built after the expulsion of the Arabs from Sicily by the Normans. Later the Zvevi family rebuilt the castle, after which it became the center of the city. However, Segesta was soon forgotten. In 1574 Tommaso Fadzello – Dominican historian, has established the exact location of the city. The present Segesta is notable for its magnificent temple with almost perfect Doric features. The construction of the temple, most likely, was never completed, since no traces of its roof were found. This temple was built in the 5th century BC. on the site of buildings of religious significance. At the top of the hill opposite the temple is an amphitheater, built in the 3rd century BC    We also recommend reading Chambord Castle in France, Loire Valley resort Topic: The ancient city of Segesta in Italy, the resort of Sicily. |
