v49_0055 - SICILIA - AGRIGENTO Hemilitron, (MB, Æ 21)

SICILY - AKRAGAS

(4th - 3rd century BC)

Agrigento had been destroyed in 406 BC. -VS. , during the Carthaginian invasion. It was nevertheless rebuilt, but did not regain its former splendor.. In the war which opposed Carthaginians and Syracusans, she supported Dionysius I and found herself in the orbit of this city. But after the arrival of Timoléon, Agrigento found itself pitted against its old rival. In 314, she formed an alliance with Gela and Leontini other cities opposed to Syracuse. Agathokles eventually brought Agrigento to heel from 309 BC. -VS. In 282, the city fell into the hands of the tyrant Phintias who was finally driven out four years later, when Pyrrhus arrived in Sicily and Agrigento joined him.. 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. ). During the first war, she sided with Carthage and the city was besieged for seven months by the Romans. The city was not conquered until 255 BC.. -VS. During the Second Punic War, the city was taken by the Carthaginians in 214 BC. -VS. Eventually the Romans captured Agrigento in 210 BC. -VS. , during the conquest of Sicily.