General Question

Bonanzinga's avatar

What's the old name of Messina in Sicily?

Asked by Bonanzinga (1points) March 24th, 2009

Messina is a city in Sicily

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

6 Answers

FGS's avatar

I’m not sure. I just know that my family came from Messina to Salerno in the 16th century.

La_chica_gomela's avatar

My grandpa is originally from Messina, too FGS! Maybe we’re distant cousins!

FGS's avatar

@La_chica_gomela Could be, who knows? :)

AstroChuck's avatar

The ancient Romans called it Messana.

Jack79's avatar

Messina, like all of Sicily, S.Italy and S.France, was first colonized by Greeks in the 8th c. BC (Romans were already in N.Italy by then, but not the south). The fights between those new colonies were what started the notorious Peloponnesian War in the 5th c. BC.

Half the colonies belonged to Athens and its allies in the Amphictyonea of Delos, but the other half were Spartan (or Peloponesean in general). The area around Sparta is called Lakonea (where the word “laconic” comes from), but the next area is called Messinia (even today). Which is where Messina comes from :)

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.

This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.

Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther