Agrigentum in Roman times

The provincial layout of Sicily

With the Punic Wars, the expansionist aims of the Romans also materialised in southern Italy.
With its fertile land and strategic position at the centre of the Mediterranean, Sicily was named the first Roman Province in 241 BC, after its partial conquest.
Pro-Carthaginian Syracuse initially remained independent, but in 211, during the second conflict with the Punics, consul Laevinus freed it from the Carthaginians, unifying the territory of the Sicilian province once and for all.
From the administrative point of view, it was necessary to wait until 132 BC for a definitive organisational layout of the new provincial territory, when six capitals – Syracuse, Lilybaeum, Agrigento, Messina, Palermo and Etna – and sixty-eight municipalities were identified with the Lex Rupilia, distinguished according to the type of relationship they maintained with Rome. Government of the Province was entrusted to a praetor assisted by two quaestores : one resided in Syracuse, together with the praetor, and one in Lilybaeum .
The presence of the two quaestores, whose relationship with the governor was governed by pietas , was probably a legacy from the island’s ancient territorial and cultural division.
At tax level, a complex system of levies was formulated, inspired by the Lex Hieronica, introduced by Hierone II of Syracuse ) during his reign: the main tax was the tithe, placed on the harvests of wheat, wine, oil, barley and legumes.

The provincial layout of Sicily

The sarcophagus of the Child

The wellness centres of the Romans

The centre of politics in Agrigentum

The forum in the city of the Akragantines

The gods of Agrigento

Breathing in world heritage together

The Oratory of Phalaris

Roman affairs

The Living Almond Museum

The tomb of Theron

An exceptional discovery: the thermal baths of Agrigentum

Vegetation in the Gardens

Cicero’s account: Agrigentum in In Verrem

The cult of the Emperor

The Punic Wars and the final conquest of Akragas

The life of young people in Roman times

The ancient port of Agrigentum

A Sanctuary for the Latin gods

The Roman necropolis

Mens sana in corpore sano: the gymnasium of Agrigento

The Kolymbetra Garden

Hellenistic heritage on the streets of Agrigentum

The Hellenistic-Roman quarter

The Romans settle in Agrigentum

The domus, guardians of private life

From Akragas to Agrigentum

The theatre of origins

The driver of Agrigentum’s well-being

Moments of leisure: the theatre

Politics comparison: Akragas and Agrigentum

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