Villa at Castroreale San Biagio
Province Description
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, was colonised by Greeks from the later eighth century B. C., with Syracuse becoming the largest and most powerful Greek polis; in time most of the indigenous settlements of the interior also became profoundly Hellenized. The western tip of the island was settled by Phoenicians and later became an outpost of Carthaginian control. In the third century B. C. Sicily became embroiled in the First Punic War which resulted in Rome's acquisition of the island as its first overseas provincia in 241 B. C.; in 211 B. C. Sicily was above all famed for its agricultural fertility and its capacity to produce exceptional grain yields (wheat and barley), and to a lesser extent wine. By the time of the Roman Empire the principal flourishing cities were located on the coast, with much of the interior given over to scattered agricultural villages, villas and farms.
Region
Location
Garden
Villa at Castroreale San Biagio
Keywords
Garden Description
There is a rectangular fountain basin set at the south end of the peristyle facing the triclinium, probably of the second century A. D. (Figs 8 and 9).
Plans
Images
Bibliography
R. J. A. Wilson, Sicily under the Roman Empire, Warminster, 1990, pp. 199-203, with figs 165.3 and 166 (202 for the garden).(worldcat)