Siracusa, founded in 734 B.C., was the most important ancient Greek colony on the island of Sicily.
Siracusa played an important role in ancient Greek history. The colony helped influence the outcome of the Peleponnesian War by fighting on Sparta's side. Arts and culture flourished in the colony, but Siracusa's most famous citizen is the inventor and mathematician Archimedes, famous for claiming he could move the Earth itself if he could find a place to stand and a long, long lever.
Today, you can easily see the ancient Greek influence upon the city by visiting the Archaeological Zone of Neapolis and the ruins on the island of Ortygia. The two areas are about a half-hour's walk apart.
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