Syracuse, Sicily Maritime History

The city of Syracuse is located on the south-eastern coast of the island of Sicily, right by the Gulf of Syracuse next to the Ionian Sea. It overlooks two harbours: Porto Piccolo (small port) to the north and Porto Grande (large port) to the south. These two harbours have played an integral part of the development of the city over the millennia. The city is mainly renowned for its Greek past, with its material culture, monumental structures such as the amphitheatre, fortress and temple.

The Greek city was founded as colony by the Corinthians, which made it a natural ally of its mother city Corinth and the latter’s mainland ally Sparta. Due to its favoured position on the coast and the use of two harbours, Syracuse developed into a powerful city which exerted influence over other cities and areas in Magna Grecia. In the early 4th century BC Syracuse, led by the tyrant Dionysius the Elder, was at war with Carthage and despite some losses it stopped the spread of Carthaginian power throughout Sicily. Following this war, Dionysius implemented various projects aimed at the fortification of Syracuse so as to protect the city from both land and sea attacks.

In the late 5th century BC, Syracuse found itself drawn into the conflict known as the Peloponnesian Wars. Athens sent its forces to bring Sicily under its control so as the island’s vast natural resources and agricultural produce could be drawn upon. However, the city of Syracuse stood between the Athenians and their plan. A series of blunders by the Athenians coupled with some tactical brilliance on behalf of the Syracusans and their Spartan allies ensured defeat for the Athenians. A series of defeats culminated with the destruction of the Athenian fleet inside the Porto Grande and the routing of the army during the retreat.

The 4th century BC was characterized by a series of internal struggles fought amongst the rulers of Syracuse. These struggles seriously undermined the power of the city although the war against Carthage was renewed by Agathocles who enjoyed some successes against his enemies, including the Carthaginians. Under Hiero II, the city enjoyed an extended period of prosperity and relative peace. However, his successor was to enjoy less success. He broke the city’s alliance with the Romans after the latter’s defeat at the Battle of Cannae and switched sides accepting Carthage's support. In retaliation, the Romans, Marcus Claudius Marcellus led the Roman siege of Syracuse city in 214 BC. The city initially held out with the siege lasting for over three years when the city fell, probably through treason.

Under Roman rule, the city gradually declined and it lost the splendor that characterized it during its Greek phase. As a port it continued to provide excellent shelter for vessels making their way up to Rome with cargoes of grain, marble and other luxury goods. This is attested by the description of St Paul’s journey from the Holy Land to Rome. One stage of his journey entailed a stopover in Syracuse after his sojourn in Malta. The fall of the Roman empire brought about a period of Vandal rule but the city along with the rest of the island was recovered by the Byzantine General Belisarius in 535 AD and was thus incorporated into the Byzantine empire for over three centuries. Byzantine rule came to an end in 878, when the city was taken by the Arabs and integrated into the expanding Islamic empire that was spreading throughout the Mediterranean. During the two centuries of Arab rule, the Cathedral was converted into a mosque and the city became a modest centre for trade and culture.

Syracuse was reconquered in 1038 by the Byzantine general George Maniaces, but it was the Normans who brought about the final conquest of the city and re-establishment of Christian rule in the city. Over one and a half centuries later, king Henry VI of Swabia subjugated Syracuse but the city passed under Genoese dominance, albeit for a relatively short period (1205–1220). It was emperor Frederick II who took back the city and in order to consolidate his hold on the city he commissioned the construction of the Castello Maniace at the tip of Ortygia. During the Mediterranean-wide struggle between the Annnjevins and the Aragonese, Syracuse sided with the Aragonese and defeated the Angevins in 1298. In return for its support the city received important privileges from the Spanish monarchs.

In 1542 and again in 1693, Syracuse was struck by earthquakes. Further misery was heaped on the city with the advent of plague in 1729. In the early 19th century an outbreak of cholera pushed the inhabitants of Syracuse to rebellion against the Bourbon rulers. Following the suppressing of the rebellion the city lost its status as the province capital to Noto. However, after the Unification of Italy in 1865, Syracuse regained its status of provincial capital. The walls dividing Ortygia and the mainland were demolished and the island was connected to the mainland by means of a bridge.
Today, the city is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.