Syracuse is an Italian town of 120 599 inhabitants, capital of the free municipal consortium of the same name, in Sicily. Located on the south-eastern coast of the island, Syracuse has a millenary history: its foundation took place around the year 734-733 BC, by the Corinthians. Ranked among the largest metropolis of the classical age, it excelled in power and wealth with Athens, which tried in vain to subjugate it. Many influential personalities were welcomed in the city, such as Plato, who tried to establish the ideal state of the Republic by coming there three times. Homeland of artists, philosophers and men of science, it gave birth, among others, to the famous Archimedes. It was conquered by Rome in 212 BC. Cicero in the 1st century B.C. still described it as "the greatest and most beautiful Greek city". In the year 61 the apostle Paul stayed there for three days while he was taken to Rome. Syracuse is also known to be the birthplace of Saint Lucia, whose martyrdom took place on December 13, 304. Important centre of the Byzantine Empire, it became its capital during the 6th century. The Arab conquest, which took place in the year 878, put an end to Syracuse’s hegemony.
