Sicilian lifestyle from 30BC to 30AD, also known as part of the Middle Roman Era, consisted of agriculture, poverty, enslavement, taxation and violence.  Wealthy magnates, both native and immigrant, ruled the island under Roman supervision.  The Romans considered Sicily a province and agricultural mainstay.  Fertile volcanic land gave it an agricultural advantage.  Much of the grain used by the Empire to feed soldiers and citizens came from this island.  Greek, Latin and indigenous provincial languages created a unique dialect, although Greek dominated linguistically during this period of Sicilian history.   Ethnically, Sicilians of the Middle Roman Era claimed Sicel (an indigenous people of unknown origin), Greek, Phoenician and Carthaginian ancestry.
 

The geographic location of Sicily, between Italy and Northern Africa, not only linked these two areas by narrow channels, but also served as a nautical center between Eastern and Western Mediterranean societies.  Greek emigration, specifically from Corinth, established Hellenistic city-state communities, Syracuse was the first of these Greek communities.  Their architecture,
philosophy, culture dominated Eastern coast of Sicily (~730BC).  Phoenician emigration soon followed and because of the already established Greek city-states along the Eastern coast, they were forced to settle the Western side of the island (~700BC) at Panormos (Palermo).  The next three hundred years saw an influx of Greeks, Phoenicians and Carthaginians, but not continual peace or social equality for the native Sicilians.  Land and slaves were the most valued commodities in Sicily at this time.  Immigrants and freeborn natives wanted as much of these two “resources” as possible and fought historic battles for this strategic, agriculturally productive Mediterranean island.  Cultural stagnation accompanied these conflagrations. The first of these battles occurred in 550BC when a Carthaginian General named Mago defeated the immigrant Greeks and began a dynasty that lasted for over one hundred fifty years.  After this period of relative tranquility, other battles (Himera, Syracuse, Selinus and Motoya) occurred along with two major slave revolts.  These battles and uprisings peaked when Hannibal Barca (of Carthage) started the Punic Wars.  His eventual loss left Rome in control of Sicily through 440AD.
 

Sextus Pompey, a Roman soldier and sailor based in Spain, highlighted the importance of Sicily to Rome by sailing his fleet from Spain to the Straits of Messina (44BC).  By creating a tactical blockade, he prevented Sicilian grain from reaching Italy.  This immediately presented problems for the Triumvirate government recently plunged into chaos with the assassination of Julius Caesar.  In exchange for rule over Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica, he lifted the blockade. This situation, used immediately as an advantage by Octavian-Augustus to move against Pompey, resulted in the destruction of Pompey’s fleet, elimination of all troops and native Sicilians that assisted him.  Octavian-Augustus ordered the capture and execution of Pompey.

Following the battles at Actium and against Sextus Pompey, Octavian-Augustus controlled many of the Sicilian estates.  This was due in large part to the loss of owners and slaves conscripted and killed while serving in the Roman legions.  Consequently, his confiscated lands went unattended until he decided to distribute it to returning loyal Roman veteran-citizens who also served the purpose of repopulating the island.  Unfortunately, those natives that didn’t fight with the legions and stayed back to continue farming did not automatically receive the coveted Roman citizenship.

  Unless a native Sicilian qualified for residency in one of newly designated cities known as a Coloniae, or a Municipa, he did not qualify for Roman citizenship.  The difference between the two designations is that a Coloniae’s population consisted of honored veterans and a Muncipa’s population consisted of citizens that received a reward for some type of service.  Six Coloniaes (Tauromeium, Catania, Syracuse, Tyndaris, Palermo and Thermae) and two Municipas (Messina and Lipari) existed during this time.  Of course, Roman citizens lived all over the island, yet these designated cities followed Roman laws, customs, courtesies and provided opportunities for its citizens to qualify for Roman Offices.  The others cities were free to govern themselves as they pleased.  Taxation was, however, a sticking point.

All Sicilians, regardless of material wealth or social status paid tax to Rome.  This occurred in all Roman controlled countries outside of Italy.  Because Sicily served only one purpose in the eyes of the Rome - the most productive grain-producing province in the empire, wealthy landowners paid hefty taxes on their holdings.  Other Roman provinces began producing crops, diminishing Sicily’s agricultural reputation for a time.  This kept the “freed” slaves tied to a landowner to which they looked to for subsistence and wages.  Both forms of payment almost never satisfied native Sicilian farmers.  Poverty, not prosperity continued during this period. Philanthropists became more important in the lives of native Sicilians as they purchased food and other sundry items for them.

With the return of Roman military veterans and merchant traders came Latin and its dialects.  Greek was the common language spoken in Sicily during this period.  However, regional dialects combining Phoenician, Latin, Sicel and Carthaginian were just as common.  Regional dialects became the mode of recognition among the native Sicilian population.  As the native population is best described as an amalgamation of various Mediterranean peoples, so too became the dialect that developed during this period.  Ethnicity also played a role in Middle Roman Era Sicily.

The primary root races of Sicily are Sicel (an indigenous people of unknown origin), Greek, Phoenician and Carthaginian.  Their respective dialects differentiated one Sicilian from another.  A stronger Greek influence in the eastern portion of the island resulted in a lighter complexions and stronger knowledge of Greek tradition and culture.  The Sicilians of Phoenician and Carthaginian descent had darker complexions and a more Mediterranean-like appearance.  These regional ethnic variations effected everything from food preparation to sub-culture mentality.  The common denominator among those that worked the land was the poor to mediocre conditions they endured as one of Rome’s most valuable assets - farmers.
 

Peace and stability occur when a government provides protection from invasion for its people.  This period of Sicilian history demonstrates this stability as it was provincially tied to Rome while its culture, prosperity and scientific advancement flourished.  However, another facet of this period is that quality of life improves for those that take steps to climb the social ladder
within their respective countries.  Fortunately, there are many ways for individuals living in modern western civilization to elevate themselves from one level to another via education, employment and other modes of advancement.  Sicilians in the Middle Roman Era, unable to socially advance, demonstrated a sense of community along with other personal, intangible traits such as motivation, endurance and courage.  Their daily life demanded this.  It is common theme in many cultures and continues to influence western civilization today.

Miller, Helen H  Sicily and the Western Colonies of Greece.  New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1965.

Finley, M. I.  A History of Sicily.   New York:  Free Press, 1968.

Pereira, Anthony.  Sicily.  New York:  Free Press,1972.

James, Simon.  Ancient Rome.   Chicago, 1990.

Brea, L. Bernarbo.  Sicily Before The Greeks.   New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1966.
 

Punic War Era Timeline

The Revision of Ancient History - A Perspective

Web Sites of Italian Interest

Siculus Diodorus - Roman Historian

Italian Cultural Institute - San Francisco