ABSTRACT
Located at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Sea’s north-south axis, Syracuse became a prosperous city second only to Athens in the Classical age. It plays a pivotal role in the development and full flowering of Greek culture, philosophy and science. The island of Ortygia has a fresh water spring likewise named Arethusa whose image is also seen on early coin designs of Syracuse. The city soon expands to the mainland and farming and trade flourishes. Syracuse received luxury goods from Corinth and sent back wheat, fruit, timber and vegetables. Cult centres of Persephone and Demeter arise in Syracuse. Aristocratic landowning families ruled Syracuse in its early days and, around 575 BC, built a large temple to Apollo on Ortygia. Pythagorean friendship was put to the test by this same Dionysis the younger, tyrant of Syracuse. Syracuse’s early Christian remains are poorly preserved but extensive, with more catacombs than any other city save Rome.
