Bible Locations

Syracuse was the leading city of Sicily, on the island's southeastern coast, founded by Greek colonists from Corinth in 734 BC. It was one of the largest and most powerful cities in the Greek world, home to the mathematician Archimedes, who helped defend it against Rome until it fell in 212 BC. In Acts 28:12, on Paul's voyage to Rome after the shipwreck on Malta, "We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days." Then they sailed to Rhegium and Puteoli. Syracuse had two harbors, which made it a good stopping point for ships from Alexandria. Its ruins include a Greek theater, a Roman amphitheater, a huge altar, a cave called the Ear of Dionysius and the Temple of Apollo. Early Christian catacombs, among the largest outside Rome, show a strong Christian community. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.