Siracusa
 ,
founded
in the 8th Century B.C., was the leading city of Magna Graecia and
one of the most powerful and largest cities in the Mediterranean
area before the birth of Christ. Cicero described Siracusa as "The
great Greek city and the most beautiful of all." Archimedes
was born in Siracusa and lived there until his untimely death
during a battle with the Romans in the 3rd
century B.C. The strategic position and power that accrued to
the city was a dual-edged sword. The city's greatest conflict was
with Carthage (although it was also attacked by Greece) and continuous battles between the two, as well as
internal political strife, eventually weakened the city. In
the 3rd century B.C. the city-state was conquered by Rome.
Siracusa is well known
for its Neopolis Archaeological Park on Terminite Hill. The
Park contains an impressive Greek theater (photograph above) and a
less well preserved Roman theater (photograph below), as well as
other treasures.
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