Soluntum

Solunto, Greek Σολοῦς ( transcribed: Solus ), Latin Soluntum, German Solunt, was an ancient city in Sicily in today's municipality of Santa Flavia.

Location and data

Solunto located on the north coast of Sicily, 18 km east of Palermo and on the eastern slope of the 374 m high mountain Monte Catalfano. The geographical location is: 38 ° 5 ' 35 " N, 13 ° 31' 53 " O38.09305555555613.531388888889Koordinaten: 38 ° 5 ' 35 " N, 13 ° 31' 53 " O.

History

The Carthaginians founded, according to Thucydides in the 8th - 7th Century BC the city. They retired at that time before the Greeks, whose colonies stretched at this time over large parts of Sicily, in the three fortresses Motye, Palermo and Solunt back.

397/396 BC destroyed Dionysius the city. In the middle of the 4th century BC it was rebuilt. The Carthaginians settled there in 307 BC Veterans of Agathocles. 254 BC Solunt became Roman. Archaeological finds and coins show that Solunt lay at the intersection of Greek and Phoenician- Carthaginian culture. The latest coin finds date from the time of Commodus, so Solunt was probably abandoned around 200 AD.

Excavations

Since the 19th century excavations take place in Solunto. Most found objects (especially coins) are located in Palermo in the Archaeological Regional Museum (Museo Archeologico Regionale " Antonio Salinas "). The excavations show Solunt as a typical Roman city.

General

The city is regularly laid out in the form of a chessboard. The main roads are approximately 6 m wide, the side streets 3 m. It result from the fact blocks of 40 m × 80 m.

The city is situated on the eastern slope of Mount Catalfano and between the highest and lowest point is a difference of 60 m.

Houses

The Gymnasium ( Italian " Ginnasio " ) was not a public building, even though the name suggests this. It is a large house with peristyle and atrium. From the Peristyll six columns were re-erected.

The name of the Leda - house derives from the murals. Here are to be seen floor mosaics.

Agora

The Agora is an elongated square, where a Punic altar. The Buleuterion adjoins the Agora, where the city council met, because the theater. Both buildings have been built in the 4th century BC and renewed Roman times. From the theater, you have a good view of the city and the countryside.

By 2009, the excavation site was closed, so visitors had to make do with a visit to the Antiquarium. This includes a presentation of the various settlements, relics and description of the architecture, information on the lifestyle of the village residents, such as burial of the dead, production of ceramics, fishing, among others. Since 2009 access to the archaeological site is open to visitors.