Messina

Italy

Also known as: Messana, Messene, Zancle, Zankle

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History

Messina, city and port, extreme northeastern Sicily, Italy, on the lower slopes of the Peloritani Mountains, on the Strait of Messina opposite Reggio di Calabria. It was an ancient Siculan colony, first mentioned about 730 bce, founded by settlers from Chalcis, who called it Zankle (“Sickle”), from the shape of the harbour. In the early 5th century bce it was occupied by Greek fugitives from Persian-occupied Miletus and Samos. The fugitives were assisted by Anaxilas,...

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