The Temple of Heracles (or Hercules or il Tempio di Ercole) of Agrigento, Sicily’s Valley of the Temples possesses eight reconstructed, massive Doric-style columns. Built in the late 6th century BCE, it is considered the first temple to have been constructed of the seven that we know of at the Valley of the Temples. Valley…
Tag: ancient greek
The Punic Goddess Tanit In Sicily
After the ancient southwestern Sicilian city of Selinunte was pillaged by Carthaginian (i.e., Punic) forces between 409 and 406 BCE, the Greek city became Punic for a time. The Carthaginians built a new town, recycling the materials and reclaiming temples from the magnificent Greek community that preceded it. Throughout today’s archaeological site, some ruins of…
The Ear Of Dionysius, An Historic Cave In Sicily
The manmade Ear of Dionysius (Orecchio di Dionisio) is an enormous cave in the Neapolis (New City) archaeological park in Siracusa. It was a prison for centuries. Legend is that the ancient Greek tyrant Dionysius could hear prisoners’ whispers utilizing the former quarry’s acoustics.
The Juxtaposition Of Modern And Ancient In Sicily
The amphitheater at Segesta sits on top of Monte Bàrbaro at an elevation of 400 meters above sea level, facing north and therefore, the sea. It dates to the middle of the 3rd century B.C.E. Excavations of the area are taking place sporadically. Some have revealed the existence of structures dating back to the 9th…
The Graceful Temple At Segesta
The doric temple at Segesta, built c. 420 BC by a Sicilian architect who was influenced by his Greek forefathers’ design styles
Start October Here In Taormina
Join me here in October 2020! Enchanting Taormina’s ancient amphitheater was built in phases, starting in the 3rd century BC by the Greek inhabitants of Mount Tauro, who added to the structure significantly in the 2nd century AD. The Romans then added their ingenuity in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, transforming it from a…
The Goddess Demeter To Santa Lucia
Join us for a party for La Festa di Santa Lucia (Saint Lucy)! This 3rd century BCE bust was found in Siracusa at the site of what was the sanctuary of Demeter and Kore (Persephone). Do you know the myth of the goddess Demeter and her maiden daughter? This Sunday, December 8 at Cacio e…
Ancient Sicily That Sings
This lekythos with a woman lute player depicted on it was found in a tomb at Selinunte. Lekythoi (plural) were vases used to store oils for use in the gymnasium or bath or for funerary functions. Note the red-figure. This was an Athenian-style technique specific to the 5th century BCE.
Sharing My Passion With You
“I am well-traveled, and I think that Allison has a gift. She sets herself apart by sharing her passion and experiencing the culture as if for the first time with us. I have already told so many people that it was the most amazing experience! I am planning to attend another trip in the future…
The Power Of The Pomegranate
Pomegranates (melograni in Italian) are in season. Scholars believe that the fruit was brought to Sicily by both the Phoenicians and the Greeks, not only for food, but also for religious reasons. Pomegranate seeds represent fertility, prosperity, abundance, and generosity. And because of the Persephone myth–when the maiden daughter of the goddess Demeter eats the…