287-279 BCE
AE Onkia 2.82g, 14mm
Laureate head of Apollo left. ΑΚΡΑΓΑΝΤOΣ
Eagle standing right, head left, ΦI above
Calciati 119
Akragas, now known as Agrigento, was one of the leading cities of ancient Greece. Some ancient historians stated it contained 200,000 to 800,000 people, though most modern historians believe it was far fewer and in the neighborhood of 20,000 to 40,000, which was still a very large city for the time.
Akragas stayed neutral during Athens’ attack of Syracuse, but it was sacked by Carthage in 406 BCE and never quite recovered.
This coin was minted during the time when Phintias, a tyrant, took control after Agathokles of Syracuse, who had earlier controlled the city, died. In 262 BCE, Akragas was besieged by the Romans and taken. Its population was then sold into slavery, but later became an important city in the Roman Empire.
580 BCE
Akragas founded by colonists from Gela.
Akragas comes under the control of Phalaris, who became infamous for roasting his enemies alive in a bronze bull.
Theron makes himself tyrant of Akragas and forms an alliance with Gelon of Gela and Syracuse.
Theron of Akragas invades and conquers Himera.
Thrasydaios succeeds Theron as tyrant of Akragas. Hiero I of Syracuse invades and overthrows him.
Ducetius, leader of the Sicels, invades Akragas and conquers an outpost.
Akragas sacked by Carthage.
Timoleon of Syracuse drives Carthaginians out of Akragas and declares it a free city.
After the death of Agathokles of Syracuse, Phintias declared himself leader of Akragas.
Death of Phintias tyrant of Akragas.
261 BCE
Rome lays siege to Akragas. Carthage attempts to relieve it, but the city is taken and its inhabitants sold into slavery.
Carthage recaptures Akragas.
Peace settlement ends the First Punic War between Carthage and Rome. Akragas is given to Rome.
Akragas shifts its loyalty to Carthage in the Second Punic War.
Rome retakes Akragas and renames it to Agrigentum.
Sicily is reorganized as a Roman province, including Akragas, with its administrative center at Syracuse.
The inhabitants of Akragas receive full Roman citizenship after the death of Julius Caesar.