Syracuse has forever depended upon the sea, railying herself around the island of Ortygia, overlooking a wonderful bay on the east coast; its name is synonymous with an ancient Greek past, a series of valiant tyrants, the rivalry between Athens and Carthage; a past which has left a number of vestiges for the modern day visitor to see and enjoy. Alongside this dramatic historical background, there exists another less obvious past that can be explored among the streets of the island, where time seems to stand still somewhere between the medieval and Baroque eras. Just behind Ortygia stretches a flat area called Akradina – yet another name inherited from Antiquity.

The district of Neapolis, literally meaning the ‘new town’, is one of the most evocative quarters claiming the theatre, the Ear of Dionysius and the Latomia del Paradiso within its boundaries. On the eastern side lies Tyche, so-called because there was a temple there dedicated to the goddess of fortune (from the Greek Tyche – fortune or luck). Dominating the remainder of the city is the part called Epipolae, guarded and defended by the Castle of Euryalus, strategically built in the most advantageous position.

HISTORY
Syracuse was colonized sometime in the 8C BC by Greeks from Corinth, who settled on the island of Ortygia. Soon this power base was seized by a succession of mighty tyrants. Under their rule the city enjoyed success and great splendour (5-4C BC); its population stabilised at the 300,000 mark, and established its supremacy over the rest of Sicily. Between 416 BC and 413 BC, there developed a furious conflict between Syracuse and Athens. The Athenian warriors were captained by Alcibiades. So the people endured one of the most famous and cruel periods of ancient history.

At last the city fell to the Romans, and so to subsequent invaders – Barbarians, Byzantines, Arabs and Normans.

Tyrants of Syracuse – The tyrant in Antiquity corresponds with the modem dictator, and several such figures populate the history of Sicily during the Hellenistic period, particularly in Syracuse.

Gelon, already tyrant of Gela, extended his dominion to Syracuse in 485 BC. His expansionist ambitions baited the hostile Carthaginians to such an extent as to provoke open conflict. Gelon, in alliance with Theron, the tyrant of Akragas (Agrigento), succeeded in defeating them at the famous battle of Himera in 480 BC. He was succeeded by his brother Hieron I (478-67), and it was during his reign that Cumae was assisted in averting the Etruscan threat (474 BC); from this battle there exists a bronze helmet, found at Olympia and now displayed in the British Museum, London.

After a brief period of democracy, punctuated by battles against Athens, the famous Dionysius the Elder acceded to the throne (405-367 BC). This shrewd strategist underpinned his government with popular consensus, which he secured with gifts and favours, and by his reputation as the defender against the Punic threat, which he did not, however, succeed in eliminating during his tyrannical rule.

Syracuse by sea – Boat trips around the Porto Grande and Ortygia by motor-launch aree provided by Selene from March to November (and out of season, weather permitting). Excursions along the coast offer unusual prospects of the town. Outings last on average 30min but can be extended on

request; they can also include lunch or dinner by prior arrangement. Those timed around sunset and nightfall are especially enjoyable for then the monuments may be seen dramatically floodlit.

It should be emphasized that this is also the only means of seeing Castello Maniace, since it is now a military bamracks and out of bounds; otherwise, the only view from dry land may be snatched from the eastern shore (see ORTYGIA).