v53_0016 - SICILIA - AGRIGENTUM Hemidrachme

SICILY - AKRAGAS

(6th - 5th century BC)

Agrigento was founded in the 6th century BC by settlers from Gela. It was one of the most beautiful and prosperous cities on the southern coast of Sicily. The city was a few kilometers from the sea at the confluence of two rivers, Akragas and Hypsas. Coinage seems to begin around 550 BC.. -VS. under the domination of the tyrant Phlaris. Theron, tyrant of Agrigento, captured Himera in 482 BC. -VS. The latter and Gelon of Syracuse won a brilliant victory over the Carthaginians at Himera in 480 BC.. -VS. who loosened the vice that Carthage imposed on the island. After Theron's death in 472 BC. -VS. , Democracy was restored. In 413 BC. -VS. , Agrigento was rather favorable to the Athenians against the Syracusans. The city was destroyed in 406 BC. -VS. , during the Carthaginian invasion. It was nevertheless rebuilt, but did not regain its former splendor.. The city found itself caught in the conflict between the Carthaginians and the Romans during the first two Punics (261-241 BC).. -VS. and 221-201 BC. -VS. ). The Romans captured Agrigento in 210 BC. -VS. , during the conquest of Sicily.