MESSANA (city in Sicily)
Ancient Greek colony of Chalcis in Sicily, Italy
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Sicily
- Where
- 38.18° N, 15.55° E
Messana is located on the side of the Strait in Sicily. Strabo 6.2.2 The city was originally called Zanole due to the irregularity of its coastline. Strabo 6.2.3 Orion constructed a harbour, a mole, and the structure called the Acte at the city. Diodorus 4.85
Described in the sources
Zancle is located in Sicily and described as a prosperous land and city. Herodotus 6.22.2 +2 The city was renamed from Zancle to Messene after a political alliance was formed. Diodorus 4.85 +2 The inhabitants of the city are generally called Mamertini rather than Messenians. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.14 ¶2 +1 The people of Zancle were led by a king named Scythes. Herodotus 6.23.1 The Samians settled in Zancle after escaping from the Medes. Herodotus 6.24.2 The city was originally named Zancle after its king Zanclus. Diodorus 4.85 The area near Messana in Sicily produced the Mamertine wines. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 14.8 ¶5 Messana is the first city listed on the side forming the Strait. Strabo 6.2.2 The area was initially uninhabited before being occupied by pirates. Pausanias 4.23.7 Messana is situated in Sicily facing the Ionian Sea near the Pelorus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 3.14 ¶2
Stories and history
Hippocrates attacked Zancle, enslaved it, and put its monarch and his brother in chains. Herodotus 6.23.4 +1 Zancle is described as a most excellent city that is well peopled, though less populous than Catana. Herodotus 6.24.2 +1 The Samians gave the city to Cadmus. Herodotus 7.164.1 The Samians captured the city of Zancle. Herodotus 6.23.3 Anaxilas promised to help the Messenians conquer Zancle. Pausanias 4.23.6 Cadmus colonized the city and changed its name to Messene. Herodotus 7.164.1 The people of Naxos near Catana originally founded the city. Strabo 6.2.3 Hippocrates, the tyrant of Gela, was an ally of the Zanclaeans. Herodotus 6.23.3 Pirates built walls around the harbor to use it as a base for raids. Pausanias 4.23.7 The city was lost by its monarch Scythes and his brother Pythogenes. Herodotus 6.23.4