Syracuse

Syracuse was a state in Italy (Europe) that lasted from c. 734 to 212 BCE, about 522 years. Its people spoke Greek languages (Mycenaean, Classical, Hellenistic, Byzantine, modern Greek).

A Corinthian colony that became the greatest Greek city in the west, crushed the Athenian expedition in 413 BCE and fought Carthage for Sicily. Rome took it in 212 BCE, killing Archimedes.

See Syracuse on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 734 to 212 BCE
Duration: 522 years
Type: State
Region: Italy, Europe
Language family: Greek
Capital: Syracuse

Events in Europe during its time

508 BCE Athenian democracy
480 BCE Battle of Salamis
334 BCE Alexander invades Persia
218 BCE Hannibal crosses the Alps

Neighbours in Europe

Roman Republic 509 to 27 BCE
Greek city-states c. 800 to 338 BCE
Athens 508 to 322 BCE
Empire of Alexander the Great 336 to 323 BCE
Sparta c. 900 to 192 BCE
Roman Hispania 218 BCE to 472 CE
Etruscan civilization c. 720 to 90 BCE
Kingdom of Macedon c. 700 to 168 BCE
Roman Kingdom c. 753 to 509 BCE
Bosporan Kingdom c. 480 BCE to 370 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Carthage c. 814 to 146 BCE, North and West Africa
Parthian Empire 247 BCE to 224 CE, Middle East
Neo-Assyrian Empire 911 to 609 BCE, Middle East
Ptolemaic Kingdom 305 to 30 BCE, North and West Africa
Achaemenid Empire 550 to 330 BCE, Middle East
Maurya Empire 322 to 185 BCE, South Asia
Empire of Alexander the Great 334 to 312 BCE, Middle East
Qin dynasty 221 to 206 BCE, East Asia

Questions

When did Syracuse exist?

c. 734 to 212 BCE, about 522 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Syracuse?

Italy, in Europe. Its capital was Syracuse.

What language did Syracuse speak?

Greek. This family includes Mycenaean, Classical, Hellenistic, Byzantine, modern Greek.