v18_0026 - SICILY - NAXOS Didrachme

SICILY - NAXOS

(5th century BC)

Naxos is the oldest Greek colony in Sicily. It was founded by Chalcidians coming from Euboea in 734 BC. The city was located on the eastern coast of the island, near the city of Taromenion at the foot of Mount Taormina, not far from Etna. In 490 BC, Hippocrates of Gela submitted the city. In 476 BC, Hieron transplanted the populations of Catania and Naxos to Leontini. The city regained its independence in 461 BC. The city then experienced significant development between 450 and 404 BC, when it was finally destroyed by Dionysius of Syracuse..