Camarina (Ragusa Province) was a sub-colony of Siracusa, Camarina was founded in 589 BC and, with Akrai and Casmene, it was on of the most important centers of Siracusa's expansionist policy. It came into conflict with its mother-town and declared its independence in 553 BC but was destroyed by Siracusa. Rebuilt by Hippocrates, the tyrant of Gela, it was again destroyed, by Gelon, and yet again rebuilt. On the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War, Camarina adopted a pro-Athens and consequently anti-Siracusa policy, until in 413 it entered into alliance with Siracusa. In 405 Camarina was occupied by the Carthaginians, again destroyed and soon after rebuilt by Timoleon of Siracusa in about 339.
After its defeat by Agathocles the city returned under Carthaginian control, but it later had to suffer raids by Agathocles' troops and by the Mamertines. The Romans destroyed it in 258 BC and it was never again rebuilt.
Excavations were first carried out in the early years of the 20th century by Paolo Orsi and were resumed in 1958. Many of the city structures have been brought to light, together with the necropolis and a series of findings of great value.
Of interest: the Regional Archaeological Museum.
Links to other sites about Camarina include:
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