| The ancient city of Megara Hyblaea is situated in | | | | The first development of Megara Hyblaea was so |
| south-east Sicily near Syracuse. It is popular with | | | | successful that the newcomers, a century later (628 |
| visitors hoping to learn a little of the ancient Greeks | | | | BC), founded another very important city at Selinunte, |
| and their customs, and a history of the city is useful to | | | | another Greek outpost in south-western Sicily. The city |
| help you make the most of your visit. | | | | based its business on the production of ceramics and |
| Megara Hyblaea was founded in the second half of | | | | on sea trade. |
| the eighth century BC (according to tradition in 728 BC) | | | | The Megara Hyblaea site has been identified in the |
| by Dorian settlers, in an area where some existing | | | | plain of San Cusumano between Augusta and Melilli, |
| Sicilian populations had already built their settlement | | | | and has provided many important archaeological |
| called Hybla. Note: historically there were several | | | | remains (eg some traces of an ancient fortified village |
| places in Sicily that were called Hybla (eg Hybla | | | | of the Neolithic period, foundations of three temples |
| Gereatide, Hybla Erea and Hybla Mègara) and | | | | and ruins of a large building, city-walls and two |
| it is not always clear which 'Hybla' the records are | | | | necropolis). |
| referring to. | | | | From these it is clear that the city had a period of |
| According to tradition, the founder of Megara, around | | | | great splendour in the sixth century BC. |
| the Gulf of Augusta, was King Hyblon, who welcomed | | | | Over the centuries Megara Hyblaea had several |
| the Megarians to his territory (although other sources | | | | difficult moments; and, in fact, was destroyed (about |
| suggest he had little choice...), who then founded | | | | 482 BC) by Hiero (?-466), the tyrant of Syracuse. |
| Megara. It is said that the first inhabitants, known as | | | | Reconstruction took place under Timoleon in the 4th |
| Galeoti (who were believers of Apollo) were very | | | | century BC. The city was again destroyed by the |
| adept at predicting the future, interpreting dreams and | | | | Roman consul Marcellus in 213 BC who was besieging |
| performing acts of magic and also that they were | | | | Syracuse at the time. According to tradition (but |
| very superstitious. | | | | disputed by some scholars) Emperor Augustus (63 |
| The city developed with considerable attention to | | | | B.C.-14 A.D.) then rebuilt Megara and gave it the name |
| details and planning, with individual lots being entrusted | | | | of Augusta. This new city, however, did not arise |
| to citizens for private homes each of the same size, | | | | exactly on the site of Megara Hyblaea, but rather it |
| while the Agorà was a free site set aside as a | | | | was built nearby where today we find the centre of |
| place of public assemblies (a model followed by the | | | | Augusta and its imposing castle. |
| bastide town of south-west France 1600 years later). | | | | |