Héracléa Minoa

Héracléa Minoa is an old city, located on the southern part of the Sicily, with the mouth of the Halycus river, close to the modern village of Montallegro, with approximately 30 kilometers in the North-West of Agrigente.

History

It was initially an outpost of Sélinonte (Hérodote 5,46), then supplanted by Carthage, then later, it became a frontier city of Agrigente.

Héracléa Minoa passes, following the treaty of -405, between the hands of the Carthaginois, then it is again regained by Denys during the first Punic War, but passes by again in Carthage in -383.

Starting from this date, the currencies bearing the Semitic name of Ras Melkart become common: it was obviously an important frontier fortress. It is here that Dion unloads in -357, when it attacks Syracuse. Agrigente takes it again in -309, but it falls soon to the capacity from Agathocle, tyrant of Syracuse. It is returned temporarily to Greece by Pyrrhus.

Archaeological vestiges

The excavations revealed a necropolis of the VI E; a theater recently released, end of the IV E, directed in the south.

Then vestiges of the hellenistic and Roman time: fortifications with square towers, out of limestone and believed brick, and a district of dwelling.

Archaeological furniture is deposited with the national museum of Agrigente.

Bonds

Perseus Encyclopedia off Classical Sites
of the theater of Héracléa Minoa

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