Apollonia (Sicily)
Encyclopedia
Apollonia was an ancient city of Sicily
, which, according to Stephanus of Byzantium
, was situated in the neighborhood of Aluntium and Calacte. Cicero
also mentions it (Or. in Verr. iii. 43) and in conjunction with Haluntium, Capitium, and Enguium
, in a manner that seems to imply that it was situated in the same part of Sicily with these cities; and we learn from Diodorus (xvi. 72) that it was at one time subject to Leptines, the tyrant of Enguium, from whose hands it was wrested by Timoleon
, and restored to an independent condition. A little later we find it again mentioned among the cities reduced by Agathocles
, after his return from Africa
, 307 BCE
(Diod. xx. 56). But it evidently regained its liberty after the fall of the tyrant, and in the days of Cicero was still a municipal town of some importance. (Or. in Verr. iii. 43, v. 33.) From this time it disappears from history, and the name is not found either in Pliny
or Ptolemy
.
Its site has been much disputed; but the passages above cited point distinctly to a position in the north-eastern part of Sicily; and it is probable that the modern Pollina
, a small town on a hill, about 5 km (3 mi) from the sea-coast, and 15 km (9 mi) east from Cefalù
, occupies its site. The resemblance of name is certainly entitled to: much weight; and if Enguium be correctly placed at Gangi, the connection between that city and Apollonia is easily explained. It must be admitted that the words of Stephanus require, in this case, to be construed with considerable latitude, but little dependence can be placed upon the accuracy of that writer.
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, which, according to Stephanus of Byzantium
Stephanus of Byzantium
Stephen of Byzantium, also known as Stephanus Byzantinus , was the author of an important geographical dictionary entitled Ethnica...
, was situated in the neighborhood of Aluntium and Calacte. Cicero
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief...
also mentions it (Or. in Verr. iii. 43) and in conjunction with Haluntium, Capitium, and Enguium
Engyon
Engyon is a legendary ancient town of the interior of Sicily, a Cretan colony, according to legend, and famous for an ancient temple of the Matres which aroused the greed of Verres. Its site is uncertain; some topographers have identified it with Gangi, a town 30 km SSE of Cefalù, but only on...
, in a manner that seems to imply that it was situated in the same part of Sicily with these cities; and we learn from Diodorus (xvi. 72) that it was at one time subject to Leptines, the tyrant of Enguium, from whose hands it was wrested by Timoleon
Timoleon
Timoleon , son of Timodemus, of Corinth was a Greek statesman and general.As the champion of Greece against Carthage he is closely connected with the history of Sicily, especially Syracuse.-Early life:...
, and restored to an independent condition. A little later we find it again mentioned among the cities reduced by Agathocles
Agathocles
Agathocles , , was tyrant of Syracuse and king of Sicily .-Biography:...
, after his return from Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, 307 BCE
307 BC
Year 307 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Caecus and Violens...
(Diod. xx. 56). But it evidently regained its liberty after the fall of the tyrant, and in the days of Cicero was still a municipal town of some importance. (Or. in Verr. iii. 43, v. 33.) From this time it disappears from history, and the name is not found either in Pliny
Pliny the Elder
Gaius Plinius Secundus , better known as Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher, as well as naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire, and personal friend of the emperor Vespasian...
or Ptolemy
Ptolemy
Claudius Ptolemy , was a Roman citizen of Egypt who wrote in Greek. He was a mathematician, astronomer, geographer, astrologer, and poet of a single epigram in the Greek Anthology. He lived in Egypt under Roman rule, and is believed to have been born in the town of Ptolemais Hermiou in the...
.
Its site has been much disputed; but the passages above cited point distinctly to a position in the north-eastern part of Sicily; and it is probable that the modern Pollina
Pollina
Pollina is a comune in the Province of Palermo in the Italian region Sicily, located about 70 km east of Palermo. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 3,102 and an area of 49.9 km²...
, a small town on a hill, about 5 km (3 mi) from the sea-coast, and 15 km (9 mi) east from Cefalù
Cefalù
Cefalù is a city and comune in the province of Palermo, located on the northern coast of Sicily, Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea about 70 km east from the provincial capital and 185 km west of Messina...
, occupies its site. The resemblance of name is certainly entitled to: much weight; and if Enguium be correctly placed at Gangi, the connection between that city and Apollonia is easily explained. It must be admitted that the words of Stephanus require, in this case, to be construed with considerable latitude, but little dependence can be placed upon the accuracy of that writer.