BIRTH OF SELINUNTE – #1

650-628 B.C.The colonists of Megara Hyblea (now Augusta), guided by the ecistas Pammilo, seek n

ew markets in western Sicily: they found the colony of Selinunte, as rich emporium. The name would stem from “Selinon”, which refers to the leaves of “apio”, a wild parsley that grows abundantly along the banks and in the valley of river Modione.

TWO CENTURIES OF PROSPERITY AND GROWTH – #2

628 – 420 B.C.Selinunte grows establishing itself as Apoikia and weaving political and commercial relationships with the Carthaginians, the Greeks, it builds the Acropolis, the Sanctuary of Malophoros, founds the sub-colony of Eraclea Minoa. It is the dawn of one of the most flourishing Greek colonies.

THE CONFLICT WITH SEGESTA – #3

413 B.C.The expansionist ambitions of Selinunte come to undermine the territory of Segesta. After several battles, ended without serious consequences, it came to a confrontation between mighty alliances: Segesta, supported by Carthage and Athens, and Selinunte, supported by Syracuse, Agrigento and Gela.

THE DECISIVE BATTLE AND THE DEFEAT OF SELINUNTE – #4

409 B.C.The battle marks the decisive victory of the Carthaginian Hannibal Magone, thanks to the non arrival of the auxiliary troops from Agrigento and Syracuse. Hannibal crushes and plunders Selinunte, saving only women and children. Thus this is the end of one of the West’s most glorious Greek colonies.

THE TREATY OF PEACE BETWEEN SYRACUSE AND CARTHAGE – #5

III CENT. B.C.Selinunte attempts a revival, relying on the alliance with Syracuse still on. The tyrant Dionysius becomes the protagonist of several attempts to storm the promontory of Lilybaeum (now Marsala territory) and drive the Carthaginians out, but the failure of the military campaign leads to a peace agreement, and Selinunte ended up in the hands of Carthage.

THE PUNIC AGE – #6

III CENT. B.C.Selinunte is rebuilt by the Carthaginians, but only in the area of the acropolis. They settle elements of Punic civilization, spread new cults, and the old city center of Manuzza becomes necropolis.

THE END OF SELINUNTE – #7

III-II CENT. A.C.During the First Punic War, Selinunte hopes in vain to break free from the yoke of Carthage with the help of the Romans. But the Carthaginians prefer to move their resources to Lilibeo, leaving Selinunte at the mercy of the Romans. Selinunte was never rebuilt and inhabited again. Thus this marks the end of one of the most glorious and important Greek colonies in Sicily.

Read More: https://en.visitselinunte.com/archaeological-park/