On the boundaries of Greek, Punic and Italic worlds. Evolution of Hellenistic Architecture in Sicily, from the reign of Timoleon until the middle of the IInd century BCE

PhD thesis led under the supervision of Prof. Laurence Cavalier

Summary

This study will offer an analysis of monumental architecture in Sicily, from the reign of Timoleon (343-337), until the end of the Third Punic War, during the middle of the IInd century BCE. Planned research aim to identify the individual role of the various influences impacting the composition of monumental architecture during the beginning of the Hellenistic period, while ancient Sicily was at the heart of the Mediterranean world.

This particular geographical location has allowed this large island to be at the crossroads of plural external influences that shaped her unique identity within the Greek world. Beside autochthonous populations (Sicanians, Sicels and Elymians), Punic presence defined herself following a peace treaty signed by the Greek tyrant Dionysius I. Henceforth, Carthaginians occupied the western part of the island, while Greeks still hold most of the oriental insular territory.

During the IIIrd century BCE, the geopolitical situation in Sicily became even more complex due to the first two Punic Wars: the arrival of Romans resulted in conflicts involving Punic and Greek worlds, as well as cities conquests weakening even more already established borders.

Within such a complicated cultural patchwork, it is difficult to determine the role played by stakeholders and their conquests in the composition of monumental architecture. This research work will be conducted by identifying architectural characteristics in Sicily, doing comparisons with similar contemporary buildings from the rest of the Greek world, as well as Punic and Italic worlds, taking in account local insular influences, whether regional or autochthonous.

The aim of this archaeological investigation is to identify features of Hellenistic monumental architecture in Sicily through the prism of cultural contributions both insular and external, based on stylistic and archaeological studies.

Keywords

Sicily, Hellenistic, architecture, monumental, ornaments, cultural contributions, Greek, Punic, Roman, Italic.