The battles of Selinunte: wealth and war in ancient Sicily

Selinunte, located on the southwest coast of Sicily between the valleys of the Cottone and Modione rivers, was one of the wealthiest Greek colonies in Sicily. Founded by a colony from Megara Hyblaea in around 550 BC, its name is believed to be derived from the celery that grew abundantly in the area, which was also depicted on its coins. However, the city's rich resources led to conflicts, with Selinunte engaged in hostilities with the Elymian people of Segesta as early as 580 BC. These tensions continued for over a century, with support from Rhodes and Cnidus, who established Lipara, on the side of Segesta. Selinunte was eventually destroyed and abandoned in 250 BC, never to be reoccupied. Today, the archaeological site of Selinunte lies in the comune of Castelvetrano, offering evidence of its tumultuous past.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons