v49_0056 - SICILIA - AITNA (ÆTNA) Hexas, (MB, Æ 26)

SICILY - AITNA (ÆTNA)

(4th century BC)

Aitna or Aetna is a Syracusan colony founded in 461 BC when Syracusan settlers were driven out of Catania and went to settle about twenty kilometers northwest of Catania on the slopes of the volcano which gave its name to the city. During the Peloponnesian War, the city was besieged by the Athenians. During the Athenian expedition to Sicily, it welcomed Syracusan dissidents. In 403, Dionysius the Elder captured the city and installed Campanian mercenaries there. During the conflict between the Carthaginians and Dionysius, the city remained loyal to Dionysius. The city tried to resist Timoléon, but was conquered after a siege where the combatants were put to death. The city then loses its importance. However, it is one of the cities that suffered from the prevarications of C. Verres in Sicily between 73 and 71 BC..