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34-631: The city was founded by colonists from Naxos as Leontini in 729 BC, which in its beginnings was a Chalcidian colony established five years earlier in Magna Graecia . It is virtually the only Greek settlement in Sicily that is not located on the coast, founded around 10 km inland. The site, originally held by the Sicels , was seized by the Greeks owing to their command on the fertile plain in

68-526: A higher yield than is possible using less capital-intensive techniques. These technological advances and investment allow the primary sector to employ a smaller workforce, so developed countries tend to have a smaller percentage of their workforce involved in primary activities, instead having a higher percentage involved in the secondary and tertiary sectors. The twenty largest countries by agricultural output (in PPP terms) at peak level as of 2018, according to

102-726: A purely Chalcidic colony; and it seems certain that in later times it was generally so regarded. The memory of Naxos as the earliest of all the Greek settlements in Sicily was preserved by the dedication of an altar outside the town to Apollo Archegetes , the divine patron under whose authority the colony had sailed; and it was a custom (still retained long after the destruction of Naxos itself) that all Theori or envoys proceeding on sacred missions to Greece , or returning from thence to Sicily, should offer sacrifice on this altar. The new colony must have been speedily joined by fresh settlers from Greece, as within six years after its first establishment

136-447: A well as cattle , sheep , pig and goat ranching. The secondary economic sector is made up of companies operating in areas such as food , construction , engineering , electronics , plastic goods manufacturing , refined petroleum products , medical and surgical equipment , furniture , wood processing , stone and ore extraction . Notable among craft activities is terracotta workmanship. A strong commercial network supplements

170-466: Is found in Thucydides. But, as it was certainly a Chalcidic colony, it is probable that some settlers from Naxos joined those from the parent country. Callipolis was a colony of Naxos and also ceased to exist at an early period. Notwithstanding this evidence of its early prosperity, there is very little information as to the early history of Naxos. Archaeology shows that the city walls were built in

204-618: The tertiary sector . There are private broadcasting stations and television networks. The city is also known for the production of the blood orange , specifically the Tarocco , Moro , and Sanguinella cultivars . Lentini is home to the SS Leonzio 1909 football team and has its own city stadium. Naxos (Sicily) Naxos or Naxus ( ‹See Tfd› Greek : Νάξος ) was an ancient Greek city of Magna Graecia , presently situated in modern Giardini Naxos near Taormina on

238-692: The Athenians with supplies, but received them freely into their city. Hence it was at Naxos that the Athenian fleet first touched after crossing the straits; and at a later period the Naxians and Catanaeans are enumerated by Thucydides as the only Greek cities in Sicily which sided with the Athenians. After the failure of this expedition the Chalcidic cities were naturally involved for a time in hostilities with Syracuse; but these were suspended in 409 BC, by

272-546: The Chalcidians at Naxos were able to send out a fresh colony, which founded the city of Leontini (modern Lentini ) in 730 BC; and this was speedily followed by that of Catana . Theocles himself became the Oekist, or recognised founder, of the former and Euarchus, probably a Chalcidic citizen, of the latter. Strabo and Scymnus Chius both represent Zancle (modern Messina) also as a colony from Naxos, but no allusion to this

306-456: The Chalcidic cities of Sicily; and having made himself master of Naxos by the treachery of their general Procles, he sold all the inhabitants as slaves and destroyed both the walls and buildings of the city, while he bestowed its territory upon the neighbouring Siculi. The Siculi soon formed a new settlement on the nearby Mount Taurus and this gradually grew up into the city of Tauromenium , (modern Taormina ). This took place about 396 BC and

340-512: The Greek colonies in Sicily; it was founded in 734/5 BC, a year before Syracusae , by colonists from Naxos in Greece and Chalcis in Euboea , with whom were mingled, according to Ephorus , a number of Ionians . He also named Theocles , or Thucles as leader of the colony and founder of the city and as an Athenian by birth; but Thucydides takes no notice of this, and describes the city as

374-524: The Messanians having on one occasion, in 425 BC, made a sudden attack upon Naxos both by land and sea, the Naxians vigorously repulsed them, and in their turn inflicted heavy loss on the assailants. Naxos never recovered from this blow. For the great Athenian expedition to Sicily (415 BC), the Naxians immediately announced their alliance, even though their related cities of Rhegium (modern Reggio di Calabria ) and Catana held aloof; they not only furnished

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408-543: The Siculi were still in possession of this stronghold some years later. Meanwhile, the exiled inhabitants of Naxos and Catana formed a considerable body that kept together. An attempt was made in 394 BC by the Rhegians to settle them again at Mylae (modern Milazzo ), but without success for they were expelled by the Messanians and from this time appear to have been dispersed in various parts of Sicily. In 358 BC Andromachus ,

442-408: The altar and shrine of Apollo Archegetes continued to mark the spot where it had stood, and are mentioned in the war between Octavian and Sextus Pompey in Sicily, 36 BC. Some late Roman construction over the Greek ruins includes a mansio and streets found on the bedrock continuing the general line of the ancient stenopos . The city walls are visible on the south of the site and were built in

476-456: The assistance in their power; and when the first Athenian expedition arrived in Sicily under Laches and Charoeades , the Naxians immediately joined their alliance. With them, as well as with the Rhegians on the opposite side of the straits, it is probable that enmity to their neighbours at Messana was a strong motive in inducing them to join the Athenians; during the hostilities that ensued,

510-538: The city was restored to the old Chalcidic citizens at the same time as these were reinstated at Catana, 461 BC; and hence we find, during the ensuing period, the three Chalcidic cities, Naxos, Leontini, and Catana, generally united by the bonds of amity, and maintaining a close alliance, as opposed to Syracuse and the other Doric cities of Sicily Thus, in 427 BC, when the Leontini were hard pressed by their neighbours of Syracuse, their Chalcidic brethren afforded them all

544-419: The climate is relatively dry all year round, there is a marked difference between precipitation days in summer, that experiences rain very rarely, and in winter, where rain occurs more frequently. Lentini's primary sector is based on the cultivation of cereals , wheat , vegetables , fodder , vineyards , olive groves , citrus groves (orange orchards especially represent the area's main economic activity)

578-487: The danger which seemed to threaten all the Greek cities alike from the Carthaginians . Their position on this occasion preserved the Naxians from the fate which befell Agrigentum (modern Agrigento ), Gela, and Camarina ; but they did not long enjoy this immunity. In 403 BC, Dionysius of Syracuse , deeming himself secure from the power of Carthage as well as from domestic sedition, determined to turn his arms against

612-471: The discovery of some fine bronzes, notably a lebes . Lentini is a municipality of 215.84 km² located 52 km northwest of the provincial capital, Syracuse. It is situated at an elevation of 53 meters above sea level on the first hill slopes at the southern edge of the Plain of Catania. It is the ancient Leontinoi, one of the first Greek colonies in Sicily, and has significant archaeological remains. Not far from

646-463: The east coast of Sicily . Much of the site has never been built on and parts have been excavated in recent years. Its remains are open to the public and an on-site museum contains many finds. The city occupied a low rocky headland, now called Cape Schisò, formed by an ancient lava flow, immediately to the north of the Acesines (modern Alcantara ) stream. There can be little doubt that the name

680-541: The father of the historian Timaeus , collected the Naxian exiles together again from all parts of the island and established them at Tauromenium which became the successor of the ancient Naxos. Hence Pliny the Elder speaks of Tauromenium as having been formerly called Naxos which is not strictly correct. The new city quickly rose in importance. The site of Naxos itself seems to have been never again inhabited in antiquity; but

714-460: The great Sicilian Expedition of 415 BC. After the failure of the Expedition, Leontini became subject to Syracuse once more. The city's independence was guaranteed by the treaty of 405 BC between Dionysius and the Carthaginians , but it was soon lost again. The city was finally stormed by Marcus Claudius Marcellus in 214 BC. In Roman times, it seemed to have been of little importance. It

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748-487: The mid 6th c. BC using the Cyclopean polygonal technique. They were up to 8 m high with the first 2 m of stone and the higher layer of mud bricks. The city was completely rebuilt in about 470 BC probably by Hieron I of Syracuse with a new Hippodamian orthogonal street plan on a different orientation from the first city. The original city was razed and lies below the later one. Only the sacred precincts, some temples and

782-478: The mid 6th c. BC. The 5th century BC was very turbulent for the city as confirmed by the archaeological record. It was one of the cities besieged and taken by Hippocrates , despot of Gela , in 492/1 BC. It passed under the authority of Gelon of Syracuse then his brother Hieron in 476 BC. Hieron, with a view to strengthen his own power, removed the inhabitants of Naxos at the same time with those of Catana, and settled them together at Leontini, while he repeopled

816-419: The north. The city was reduced to subject status in 494 BC by Hippocrates of Gela , who made his ally Aenesidemus its tyrant. In 476 BC, Hieron of Syracuse moved the inhabitants from Catana and Naxos to Leontini. Later on, the city of Leontini regained its independence. However, as a part of the inhabitants' efforts to retain their independence, they invoked more than once the interventions of Athens . It

850-698: The period from 460 BC to 403 BC, which was probably the most flourishing in the history of the city. Primary sector The primary sector of the economy includes any industry involved in the extraction and production of raw materials , such as farming , logging , fishing , forestry and mining . The primary sector tends to make up a larger portion of the economy in developing countries than it does in developed countries . For example, in 2018, agriculture, forestry, and fishing comprised more than 15% of GDP in sub-Saharan Africa but less than 1% of GDP in North America . In developed countries

884-497: The primary sector has become more technologically advanced, enabling for example the mechanization of farming, as compared with lower-tech methods in poorer countries. More developed economies may invest additional capital in primary means of production: for example, in the United States corn belt , combine harvesters pick the corn, and sprayers spray large amounts of insecticides , herbicides and fungicides , producing

918-735: The reference line for Central European Time (UTC+1), passes through the town. Lentini's climate is Mediterranean , with mild winters and hot summers. During the coldest months, the average temperature during the day is around 15 °C, while the warmest months see average daytime temperatures that reach 34 °C. In summer, temperatures reach 40 °C every year and temperatures over 45 °C are not unheard of. Winter also encounters temperatures over 15 °C yearly, with temperatures over 20 °C also occurring, but less frequently. Occasionally, winter lows go down to 0 °C, but rarely go under 0 °C. Summer lows normally do not go under 17 °C but can occasionally go down to 15 °C. While

952-518: The shipyard were left intact on a different orientation. The city plan represents one of the best preserved western examples of its type. Square bases, perhaps altars, mark each crossroads on its south east corner. The seafront façade of the shipyard complex indicates that the present sandy beachfront is circa 180–190 m further out from the 5th century BC the coastline and that the sea level was about 2 m higher than at present. The coins of Naxos, which are of fine workmanship, may almost all be referred to

986-555: The town, to the northwest, lies the basin of the Lago di Lentini (better known as Biviere ), which was once completely drained and today has been restored at its old site. The sea ( Agnone Bagni ) is 12 km from the town centre. The Lentini area's environment is mainly characterised by its numerous citrus groves. It is called the Città delle arance ("City of Oranges") due to its high production of Siciian blood orange . The 15th meridian east,

1020-427: The two cities with fresh colonists from other quarters. The city was completely rebuilt in about 470 BC probably by Hieron. The new classical town grid was preceded by a systematic levelling of the archaic buildings: excavations have found two superimposed urban layouts. The name of Naxos is not specifically mentioned during the revolutions that ensued in Sicily after the death of Hieron; but there seems no doubt that

1054-436: The valley was an acropolis lying between precipitous hills with flat tops, over which buildings extended. The eastern hill still has the remains of a strongly fortified medieval castle, in which some writers are inclined (though wrongly) to recognise portions of the Greek masonry. Excavations were made in 1899 in one of the ravines in a Sicel necropolis of the third period; explorations in the various Greek cemeteries resulted in

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1088-481: Was derived from the origin of the first colonists from Naxos in Greece. This has become even more definite since 1977 when the marble cippus (or sacred stone) inscribed with a dedication to the goddess Enyo was found in the large sanctuary west of the Santa Venera river. The characters are written in the unique 7th c. BC script of Greek Naxos. Ancient writers agree that Naxos was the most ancient of all

1122-498: Was destroyed by the Saracens in 847 AD, and almost completely ruined by the earthquake of 1693 . The ancient city is described by Polybius as lying in a valley between two hills and facing north. On the western side of this valley, a river flowed with a row of houses on its western bank below the hill. At each end was a gate, the northern gate leading to the plain, the southern at the upper end, leading to Syracuse. On each side of

1156-414: Was mainly the eloquence of Gorgias of Leontini which led to the abortive Athenian expedition of 427 BC. In 422 BC, the Greek city-state of Syracuse supported the oligarchs against the people and received them as citizens, Leontini itself being forsaken. This led to a renewed, initially diplomatic, Athenian intervention. The exiles of Leontini joined the envoys of Segesta in persuading Athens to undertake

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