The History of Sicily: From Ancient Times to Modern Day

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean. Its history is long and complex, shaped by many cultures and civilizations.

Ancient Greeks, Romans, Normans, and Arabs... They all have left their mark on the island's architecture, art, and traditions.

As fascinating as Sicily's history is, it is also a history of oppression. The beauty of the landscape is matched only by the suffering of its people.

Although things look brighter now, the sadness can still be felt. History has taught Sicilians to rely only on themselves.

In this guide, we'll take a closer look at the history of Sicily. So take a peak at the many influences that have shaped life on this island.

Ancient Greeks Settle in Sicily

The ancient Greeks played a significant role in shaping the history of Sicily. First Greek colonists arrived in the 8th century BC and established settlements on the island.

One of them was in Syracuse, one of the Mediterranean's most important cities in its time.

The columns of the cathedral of Syracuse belonged first to the temple of Athena. Since then, they have watched Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, and Spaniards come and go.

They have also survived multiple earthquakes, the worst of them swallowing large parts of eastern Sicily in 1693.

The Greeks brought with them their language, religion, and culture. With them, Sicily became a center of art and philosophy.

The Greek influence can still be seen on the island, especially in its eastern parts.

The Greek god Zeus seems like quite a groovy guy. The photo was taken inside the Archeological Museum of Palermo.

The Roman Empire Arrive on the Shores of Sicily

After the fall of the Greek colonies, Sicily came under the control of the Roman Empire.

For Sicily, the Roman time was pretty uneventful in terms of culture. The Romans treated Sicily with little respect.

The Romans took advantage of the island's fertile soil and strategic location. Much of the island was taken over by vast landed estates.

This set a pattern of land tenure that ruined Sicilian agriculture for hundreds of years.

Liberty was almost extinguished. The slave gangs toiled naked in the fields. The harvest was sent to Rome.

The island remained under Roman control for several centuries. In practice, it ended after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD.

The Arab Conquest Revitalizes Sicilian Culture

After Roman rule, Sicily became a province of the Byzantine Empire. At one point, Syracuse almost became the Empire's capital.

The project fell when Emperor Constans II's servant killed him in his bath.

Then, in the 9th century AD, Arab forces of Northern Africa conquered Sicily.

Compared to the Roman rule, the time was easy enough for the Sicilians. Greek Christian communities were allowed to keep their freedom.

Sicilian boy in Moorish dress circa 1895. (Photo by Wilhelm von Gloeden)

The Muslims displayed a degree of religious toleration. The churches and monasteries were able to operate as before. Hellenistic scholarship flourished as it had done in Greek times.

The Arabs introduced new crops, such as citrus fruits, cotton, melon, pistachio, and date palms. They also planted enough sugarcane to build a substantial export trade.

The Arabs brought with them a new system of agriculture. It was based on innovations such as terracing and siphon aqueducts for irrigation.

All this led to greater agricultural productivity. The damage to agriculture caused by the Romans was finally remedied.

Other Arab influences include a love of poetry, music, and art. These helped to shape the island's cultural identity.

With the Arabs came a rich cultural heritage that would leave a lasting impact on the island.

One thing Arabs didn't bring was political stability. Soon different Emirs started to quarrel with each other, which gave way to new conquerors.

The Normans and the Kingdom of Sicily

The Norman Castle in Palermo. The Arabs had made Palermo the capital of Sicily. The Norman takeover had little effect on the island's administration.

In 1060, a group of Norman soldiers led by Robert Guiscard arrived in Sicily and began to conquer the island. It took them more than thirty years to conquer the whole of Sicily.

The Norman Kingdom of Sicily lasted about 200 years. Under Norman rule, Sicily experienced a period of great prosperity and cultural flourishing.

The Normans brought with them new innovations in architecture and art. They also introduced a new legal system in Sicily.

In agriculture, they introduced new techniques, such as crop rotation.

In governance, a feudal system helped consolidate Norman rule over the island and provided the basis for the development of a powerful aristocracy.

The Normans constructed magnificent churches, palaces, and other architectural wonders. These can be seen all over the island, but the most magnificent ones are in the Palermo area.

The Norman conquest of Sicily brought a range of cultural, economic, and social developments. They helped shape the island's history and identity for centuries to come.

The History of Sicily After the Normans

Sicily was flourishing at a time when the rest of Europe was in the throes of the darkest Middle Ages. But as the Renaissance began to illuminate the rest of Europe, it was Sicily's turn to sink into darkness.

After the Norman Kingdom, Sicily passed through the hands of various rulers. It experienced a tumultuous period of political instability and social upheaval.

The rulers changed, but Sicily remained a periphery. Power had fled elsewhere, and the rulers had no interest in Sicily.

While the Renaissance offered hope for a better future in Europe, Sicily was under the Spanish Inquisition.

To make matters worse, the discovery of new sea routes to the Americas made the Mediterranean a meaningless backwater.

Modern-Day Sicily and its Cultural Heritage

In 1861, Sicily became part of the newly created Italian state. In Sicily, the event was soon deemed as not worth celebrating.

Centuries had taught Sicilians that rulers were not to be trusted. It was better to mind your own business. The new taxes that hit the southern parts of Italy worst did not help the situation.

This created a breeding ground for the Mafia. At first, in the 19th century, the organization resembled the local security forces. Its rules were firmly rooted in Sicilian character.

Soon the Mafia's power began to grow and its activities became more crime-oriented.

Mussolini made a first serious attempt to destroy the Mafia. It ended when the Allied forces landed and invaded Sicily.

After the Second World War, the Mafia gained strength. It soon became an international criminal organization. A culture of silence enabled it to take a century and a half for its existence to be publicly acknowledged.

Things began to change only in the 1980s, thanks to men like Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borselino.

Today, Sicilian culture is a unique blend of ancient traditions and contemporary influences.

The island's long history has left a lasting mark on its cultural heritage. It can be seen in everything from its language to cuisine to its music and art.

Sicily today is known for its cuisine, art, architecture, music, and festivals. It also has stunning beaches and natural reserves. Not to mention world-class wines and historical landmarks.

Of course, there are also many challenges. These include economic struggles and political confusion.

Conclusion

Sicily has a long, fascinating, and painful history.

The Greeks arrived on the island in the 800s BC. This was a period of cultural prosperity.

Greek rule was then replaced by Roman rule. The culture withered, and Sicily fell under oppression.

Only after a thousand years—around 800 AD—did the Arabs bring civilization back to the island. They were followed by a period of prosperity under the Normans.

Then, the darkness fell over Sicily. The world seemed to have forgotten it. The new sea routes to the Americas moved prosperity elsewhere.

This continued for hundreds of years.

Now, Sicily has entered a new period of prosperity. From its troubled past, a thriving culture has grown. History lives side by side with modern-age wonders.

Sicily offers visitors a wealth of experiences and attractions, so it's no wonder millions of people from all over the world visit it every year.