v49_0061 - SICILY - CENTURIPE Litra, (GB, Æ 33)

SICILY - CENTURIPE

(4th - 3rd century BC)

Centuripe (Kentoripa or Centuripæ), in the center of Sicily, is placed in the valley of Symæthus at the foot of Etna. The city, the original Szekler, seems to have been founded in the 8th century BC. During the Athenian expedition, Centuripe supported Athens. Ruled by tyrants, first favorable to Athens against Dionysius the Elder. Nikodemos, who had succeeded Damon, was finally overthrown by Timoleon in 339/338 BC. Shared between the Carthaginian and Syracusan zones of influence, it finally fell under the latter's dependence during the 4th century BC. C., especially under Agathokles. Centuripe supported Hieron II in his war against the Mamertine mercenaries. During the First Punic War, Centuripe submitted in 263 BC and therefore remained free. It experienced an intense period of economic and artistic development under Roman rule..