LEONTINI (city in Sicily)
Ancient city of Sicily
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Sicily
- Where
- 37.29° N, 15.00° E
The Cyclopae lived in the area surrounding Mount Aetna and Leontini. Strabo 1.2.9 Heracles passed through the plain of this city during his travels. Diodorus 4.24 Citizens of Leontini privately funded the creation of a statue of Zeus, which was dedicated by Hippagoras, Phrynon, and Aenesidemus. Pausanias 5.22.7
Described in the sources
Gorgias was a native of the city of Leontini. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 33.24 ΒΆ1 The land near Leontini was ruled by Xuthus, a son of Aeolus. Diodorus 5.8 The region around Leontini is known as Xuthia after its ruler Xuthus. Diodorus 5.8 The plain of Leontini is where a type of wild wheat is reported to grow. Diodorus 5.2 The territory of Leontini was held by the Naxos people who settled in Sicily. Strabo 6.2.7 During the author's lifetime, the city had been repopulated after its destruction. Pausanias 6.17.9
Stories and history
The people of Leontini founded the city of Euboea. Strabo 6.2.6 Heracles left imperishable memorials of his presence in this area. Diodorus 4.24 Leontini did not consistently share in the prosperity enjoyed by Syracuse. Strabo 6.2.7 The city was destroyed by the people of Syracuse at some point in its history. Pausanias 6.17.9 The region of Leontini experienced significant suffering due to its association with Syracuse. Strabo 6.2.7 Leontini was attacked and enslaved by Hippocrates during his military campaigns, unlike Syracuse which resisted. Herodotus 7.154.2