Acragas

Origins

Colonists from Gela, with Rhodians, founded Acragas around 580 BCE on a ridge above the confluence of the Akragas and Hypsas rivers, near Sicily's south coast. Within a few decades it was one of the largest Greek cities.

Rule and society

The tyrant Phalaris, notorious for roasting enemies in a bronze bull, ruled around 570–554 BCE. Under Theron, who with Gelon defeated Carthage at Himera in 480 BCE, Acragas grew rich on grain, olives and trade with Carthage. Prisoners built temples along the southern ridge, today's Valley of the Temples, including the Temple of Concord and the colossal Olympieion. The philosopher Empedocles helped restore democracy there.

Decline and legacy

Carthage sacked Acragas in 406 BCE. Revived by Timoleon, it was taken by Rome in 262 BCE, retaken by Carthage, and finally captured by Rome in 210 BCE, becoming Agrigentum. The modern city, Agrigento, overlooks the temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.