Agricola, Christophe Ludwig: (b. Nov. 5, 1667, in Augsburg or Ratisbon; d. 1719, in Augsburg or Ratisbon). German landscape painter. He traveled throughout his career, spending much time in Naples and elsewhere in Southern Italy.
agriculturi: Sicilian term for “farmer.”
Agrigento, Province of: A province of Sicily. It measures 3,042 km² in area.
Agrigento (anc. Akragas; Acragas; Agrigentum) (AG): A commune and provincial capital of the province of Agrigento. One of the principal cities of Sicily.
Region: Sicilia. Province: Agrigento.
Elevation: 230 m./755 ft. Area: 244.57 km². Population: 59,082 (2007); 59,111 (2006e); 59,111(2005); 59,031 (2004); 54,619 (2001); 55,283 (1991); 51,325 (1981).
Coordinates: Lat. 37°19’18″N/Long. 13°35’22″E.
Location & Setting: Located 72 km. from Caltanissetta, 199 km. from Catania, 107 km. from Enna, 295 km. from Messina, 139 km. from Palermo, 136 km. from Ragusa, 217 km. from Siracusa, 182 km. from Trapani., situated in a hilly area near the southern coast of Sicily, between the rivers San Biagio and Sant’Anna (or Drago).
Frazioni: Fontanelle, Giardina Gallotti, Monserrato, Montaperto, San Leone, Villaggio La Loggia, Villaggio Mosè, Villaggio Peruzzo, Villaseta.
Tel. Prefix: 0922. Postal Code: 92100.
Population Designation: Agrigentini, Girgentani.
Patron Saint (s): San Gerlando. Feast Day: Feb. 25.
Former Names: (Grk. Akragas, Acragas), (Lat. Agrigentum), (Arb. Karkint, Kerkent)(Byz. Girgentum), (Normans/It/Sic. Girgenti).
History:
Ancient Akragas (Acragas) was founded in c582 BC or c579 BC by Dorian Greeks, led by Aristonoos and Pystilos, from the city of Gela. The name apparently derives from the Greek word meaning “high land.” According to a foundation myth, the original Greek name, Akragas (or Acragas), comes from that of Akragante, a daughter of Zeus, often credited as the city’s founder. The original settlers were originally from the islands of Rhodes and Crete. The original Greek colony, situated on the site of the earlier Sican town of Camicus, sat on a steep hill, three sides of which were sheer cliffs of tufa rock. Only the south side of the hill offered a gentler approach. The colony was first governed by an oligarchy but power was soon concentrated in the hands of the cruel tyrant Phalaris. Ambitious by nature, Phalaris desired to turn Akragas into the dominant power of central Sicily. The military power of the city was turned principally against the native Sikan towns. Akragaean power spread so far to as to even threaten the security of Himera on the island’s north coast. It grew in power and wealth to become second only to Syracuse in Sicily. Pharlaris was eventually overthrown and killed in c554 BC. This did not diminish the status of the city. By the second part of the 6th Century BC Akragas was a leading center for the production and export of Sicilian grain, wine and olives. The city’s pastures provided livestock for export throughout the Mediterranean world. A mint was established that produced excellent silver coinage. It was under Theron (r488 -473 BC) that Akragas reached its height in power and wealth. Theron had taken Himera, much to the dislike of that city’s Carthaginian allies. When the Carthaginians launched an invasion, however, they suffered a major defeat at the hands of a Greek army led by Theron of Akragas and Gelon of Syracuse. Theron returned to Akragas with a great amount of Carthaginian booty. With this wealth he set about beautifying his city with great temples such as that of Olympian Zeus. He also improved Akragas with a new system of aqueducts designed by the architect Phaiax. Theron also became noted as a patron of the arts. Among those who frequented his court was the famous poet Pindar, who called Akragas “the most beautiful city of mortals.” Following the period of tyrants, Akragas was governed by a semi-aristocratic regime which gave way to a constitutional democracy. It was during this area that Akragas was the home of the extraordinary philosopher Empedocles. With the exception of a short period during the Sikel revolt led by Ducetius in the mid-5th Century BC, Akragas continued to enjoy a high level of prosperity. Unfortunately, Akragas became too tempting a prize for the Carthaginians when they renewed their assault on Greek Sicily in the late 5th Century BC. After the capture of Himera and Selinus, they marched on Akragas and laid siege to the city. Akragas held out valiantly for some time but, when all hope of relief was finally gone, the city fell in 406 BC. The great city with its beautiful temples, sumptuous homes, aqueducts, and fine streets was sacked and burned. Akragas was left abandoned and overgrown for nearly 70 years after. In 338 BC, Akragas was restored by Timoleon who recolonized the city with a new population from Greek population drawn from Elea. A new democratic government was restored led by Megellus and Pheristos. Although much reduced from its former glory, Akragas was able to maintain a certain prosperity. The tyrant Phintias (r286 -280 BC), having taken power now attempted to rebuild Akragas’s old power. His attempts, however, failed and a new threat from the Carthaginian emerged. In 276 BC, Pyrrhus of Epirus occupied Akragas in an attempt to unite the Greeks of Sicily in his war against the Carthaginians. When his campaign fell apart, Pyrrhus withdrew from Sicily leaving Akragas helpless and exposed. The city found itself once more under Carthaginian control. During the 1st Punic War, it was besieged by the Romans in 262 BC and 255 BC. The ultimate Roman victory in that war freed Akragas from the Carthaginian threat once and for all. Anti-Roman sentiments, however, led the Akragans to revolt in 210 BC during the 2nd Punic War. Besieged and captured by the Romans, the city was incorporated into the province of Sicily. Although no longer a political power, Akragas, or as it was now called by the Romans, Agrigentum, enjoyed a new extended period of prosperity. The old Greek population was soon supplemented by Roman colonists in 207 BC and under Augustus. Despite a degree of romanization, the local government remained Greek in structure. Besides abundant agricultural pursuits, Agrigentum’s economy expanded to include textile industry and sulfur mining. It had an excellent harbor and a notable emporium. Under the later Christian era, Agrigentum rapidly declined. The famous temples of the city were either abandoned or converted into Christian churches. By the time of the Saracen invasion of Sicily, the old city was reduced to the status of a village. Occupied by the Saracens in AD 827, who called the place Karkint or Kerkent, a certain degree of prosperity returned. A number of mosques were erected during this era.