Megara Iblea

The ruined site of Megara Iblea, the ancient Megara Hyblaea, lies 21km/13mi north of Syracuse, to the north of Megara-Giannalena Station and 10km/6mi south of Augusta.

History

Megara is one of the oldest Dorian colonies in Sicily, if not the oldest. Migrants from Megara near Athens, under the leadership of Lamis, settled first in Leontinoi, then in Thapsos, before they finally found a place, in agreement with Hyblon, King of the Sikels, where they could make their home permanently. This site lay close to Hyblon's residence, which, like two other Sikel towns, had the name Hybla (the others were situated in the area of Paternò and Ragusa). In memory of their Greek homeland and as a reminder of the Sikel town the colonists named their new settlement Megara Hyblaia (Lat. Hyblaea). Its foundation followed around 728 B.C., the town prospered, and 100 years later Selinunte was founded from here. In addition Megara Hyblaea is famed as the birthplace of the comic poet Epicharmos (about 550-460 B.C.). During his lifetime Gelon conquered the town, moved the aristocrats to Syracuse and sold the remainder of the population into slavery. Megara lay deserted for many years, until in about 350 B.C. a new settlement was begun. This smaller settlement came to an end with the Roman conquest by Marcellus (214 B.C.). From that time on just the anchorage remained and possibly a small village.