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Morgantina 78 pictures The big village of Aidone is situated in a beautiful natural setting, with a fine view, on the slopes of the Erei mountains, not far from Piazza Armerina. It developed during the Arab period, in a previously settled area, and is known through the history of its castle, which from the Norman age on came under the control of various feudal lords. Of great interest is the Aniquarium which has been set up in a building which was once a Capuchin monastery. Materials found in nearby Morgantina are exhibited here. Morgantina is a very important archaeological zone, discovered in the fifties in the locality of Serra d'Orlando. Probably founded by Chalcidian settlers from Catania in the sixth century B.C., it was important in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, but went into a rapid and definitive decline in the first century B.C. What has been brought to light of the ancient settlement is the Agora, which was built on two levels and included the Macellum, a Roman shopping centre, the Bouleuterion, the Gymnasium, the Theatre, the remains of rich houses with mosaic decorations, vestiges of a Sanctuary dedicated to the cult of the gods of the underworld, and a building used as a granary. The whole surrounding zone is scattered with ruins and partially buried remains, such as those of the Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore. On the nearby hill, ruins of the ancient acropolis and of a settlement devastated in the fifth century B.C. have been found. View of the City Macellum The Macellum (where food was sold) is in the middle of the northern Agora. Built in the 2^nd century B.C., inside a quadrangular structure, there are 13 shops on the north and south that surround a formerly arcaded court. Standing in the middle is a tholos, whose purpose is not known. The market entrance was situated on the west side of the structure. Ekklesiasterion The largest monumental structure consists of a stairway with 15 steps extending for a length of 50 meters, built around the 3^rd century B.C.. This is presumed to be the place where the Ekklesia (general assembly of the city) met. This structure was made for all free citizens who had reached the age of 20, and met to discuss and approve or reject the laws passed by the boule. Theater It was built in the 4^th century B.C., and had a seating capacity of about five thousand. It was initially used for religious and political gatherings, but later when the Ekklesiasterion was built for the assemblies of the Ekklesia, it became exclusively a theater. Ctonic Sanctuary Near the theater there is a Sanctuary dedicated to the Ctonic divinities, Demetra and Kore, built around the 4^th century B.C. It is made up of two rectangular sections. The northern section includes: a room for money offerings, and an open court, at the sides of which there are rooms for the priests. The southern section, used for religious ceremonies, still displays a cylindrical altar, a sacellum once containing a statue of Demetra and a circular enclosure, with a pit or bothros in the middle of it. Fountain with Two Basins Gymnasion Bouleuterion Situated next to the gymnasion, in the northwest corner of the Agora, there is a building with a rectangular floor plan that is believed to be the Bouleuterion, or chamber of the Boule (Senate of the city). House of the Ganymede Back to Sicily Index