The public places of Agrigentum

Politics comparison: Akragas and Agrigentum

At the time of the Roman conquest of Agrigento, the systems of government in cities of Greek and Latin origin had fundamental differences.
Ancient Greece, Athens specifically, is the cradle where the first seeds of democracy were sown, which gave all citizens with the right to vote the opportunity to participate actively in the political life of the city. All male adults who had completed military training had the right to vote, excluding foreign residents and slaves; therefore, it was necessary that cities have places for political debate by all these people, who were called upon to express themselves on matters of government over where they lived.
After taking into consideration the opinions and needs of the ekklesia (i.e. the citizens’ assembly), there was then a governing body specifically called to deliberate in an official way, the Boule, or council of great thinkers. In ancient Rome, on the other hand, there was a senate, made up of the city’s most illustrious citizens, who entered by birth or special merit.
Obviously the forms of government characteristic of the Greek motherland first, and then Roman, were imported and spread to Agrigento, where archaeological finds confirm that democracy and oligarchy followed one another in the city.

Cicero’s account: Agrigentum in In Verrem

The theatre of origins

The centre of politics in Agrigentum

Breathing in world heritage together

The Hellenistic-Roman quarter

The domus, guardians of private life

Hellenistic heritage on the streets of Agrigentum

The provincial layout of Sicily

Moments of leisure: the theatre

Roman affairs

A Sanctuary for the Latin gods

The Oratory of Phalaris

The forum in the city of the Akragantines

The sarcophagus of the Child

The wellness centres of the Romans

The tomb of Theron

Politics comparison: Akragas and Agrigentum

An exceptional discovery: the thermal baths of Agrigentum

The driver of Agrigentum’s well-being

Mens sana in corpore sano: the gymnasium of Agrigento

The gods of Agrigento

The Roman necropolis

The Punic Wars and the final conquest of Akragas

The Kolymbetra Garden

Works for the muses: the mosaics of the Hellenistic-Roman quarter

The life of young people in Roman times

From Akragas to Agrigentum

The ancient port of Agrigentum

Vegetation in the Gardens

The Living Almond Museum

The cult of the Emperor

The Romans settle in Agrigentum