bgr_1191540 - SICILY - ERYX Litra

SICILY - ERYX

(5th - 4th century BC)

Eryx was famous for its temple of Aphrodite Erykina which was said to have been founded by the eponymous hero, half-brother of Aeneas. Around 510 BC. -VS. , Dorieus, of Spartan origin wanted to settle in Eryx, but was quickly driven out by the Carthaginians. After 480 BC. -VS. , the city came under Akragantine influence thanks to the joint victory of Théron and Gélon. Eryx fell to Segesta in 416 BC.. -VS. Segesta was opposed to Selinunte, an ally of Syracuse. Segesta called the Carthaginians who destroyed Selinunte in 409 BC. -C and subjugated Segesta and Eryx. A great naval battle off the coast of Eryx saw the Carthaginians and Syracusans clash, the latter of which emerged victorious. The city nevertheless remained under Carthaginian influence despite the wishes of Dionysius the Elder because of the arrival of Himilcon. Eventually Eryx fell into the hands of Dionysius in 368/367 BC.. -VS. before being taken over by the Carthaginians. Pyrrhus captured the city in 278 BC. -VS. During the first Punic war, Hamilcar, father of Hannibal had Eryx destroyed and the population deported. The Romans captured the site in 249 BC.. -VS. and fortified him. The Carthaginians tried to seize it unsuccessfully for three years by the time the war ended in 241 BC.. -VS. The city became a tributary of Rome, while the cult of the goddess was exported to Rome.