The Amazing History Of Sicily

Sicily is a region of Italy and is the largest of the Mediterranean Islands. The history of Sicily is very intricate, Sicily having changed hands and governments many times throughout its long history. Sicily was originally settled around 10,000 BC by hunter-gather cave-dwellers. Later, in 5,000 BC, the focus shifted to an agricultural society.

Sicily was settled by three different ethnic groups known as the Elymians, who lived in the northwest part of the island, the Sicani who settled in the central and southern parts, and the Siculi who lived on the east side.

All three of the groups succumbed to Greek colonization. Both the Greeks and Phoenicians arrived in Sicily in the 8th century BC. Sicily was in conflict between these two powers for centuries until the Roman intervention in the First Punic War.

The Punic Wars brought about the intervention of the Roman Republic onto the Sicilian scene. Under Roman rule Sicily was generally a peaceful, contented place where the many Roman senators owned land. At this time Roman architecture became prevalent, the remnants and influence of which are still seen today. This lasted about seven centuries, until the fall of the Roman Empire. The whole of the history of Sicily can be summarized by control from greater powers—the Romans, Vandal, Byzantine, Islamic, Hohenstaufen, Catalan, and the Spanish, although there were also periods of independence. In 1282, Sicily overcame abusive control under "The House of Anjou" which included three distinct familial dynasties originally from Western France. This became known as The Legend of the Sicilian Vespers.

Today Sicily is the largest region of the modern state of Italy, but its central location and natural resources always made it a crucial strategic location and important for the Mediterranean Islands trade routes.

In more modern times, in 1860, Sicilians became a united part of Italy, due to Garibaldi’s successful invasion. But the Italian control of Sicily was weak at the time and a general lawlessness abounded. It was believed that the Italian Mafia came into being at this time from bands of outlaws who were often employed by landowners to protect their property.

Still Sicily entered into another period of independence after World War II, but after 1946 it withered away when Salvatore Giuliano (who was supposed to have close ties with the Mafia, but was hailed as a modern Robin Hood) waged a military movement but was betrayed and killed. Sicily is now an autonomous region under the new Italian constitution, with its own parliament and elected President.

The history of Sicily and it's diversity is reflected in its architecture. It offers Greek temples and amphitheaters, unique Norman-Arab churches and palaces, Orthodox churches, early Gothic churches, Spanish influences, Baroque styles as well as others and, of course, Roman architecture from its Roman dominated period. The tourist visiting here can reflect on the vast diverse history of Sicily simply by visiting the various churches and architectural attractions.

Sicily is a land full of complex history and abounds in its diversity of cultures. Being a tourist to this island will bring that history to life. It is well worth the discovery.

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