Syracuse

Syracuse, now SIRACUSA, was the chief city of ancient Sicily. It was surrounded by a wall of 22 miles, was divided into five parts, and possessed two harbours. Founded by a Corinthian colony in 734 B.C., it became rich and prosperous, and possessed a larger population than Athens. The Athenians besieged it in vain in 414 B.C., after a prolonged assault, and it underwent a siege at the hands of the Romans 215-212 B.C., fa1ling in the last of these years, in spite of the efforts of the engineer, Archimedes, who was a native. Its early constitution was republican, becoming then oligarchical, and at tunes it was ruled by absolute kings. Theocritus was a native. The present town, occupying only the peninsula of Ortygia (the original site of the old city), has a good harbour, deep and large, is fortified, has good streets, lighted by electricity, and a cathedral, which was formerly a temple. Among the relics of the old city are a large amphitheatre, the extensive catacombs, and the Ear of Dionysius, which forms a cavern 170 feet long, 35 wide, and 60 high, and possesses a wonderful echo.