Sophron of Syracuse was a writer of prose dialogues
based on everyday life of Greek Sicilians.
Philistus was a historian who helped Dionysus to rise to power in Syracuse
before eventually being exiled by him. He drafted an 11 volume history of Sicily
Timaeus was a historian from Taormina and was driven from Sicily by Agathocles. He wrote a
38-volume history of Greece Italy and Sicily Diodorus Siculus was a historian from the
area of Enna who wrote 40 books of history covering Egypt India Africa and Europe.
Ibn Hamdis a Sicilian Arab poet from Syracuse. His work has enjoyed a recent revival in Sicily
Giacomo da Lentini was a Sicilian School poet at the court of Frederick ii who invented the sonnet,
a form of poetry used by Shakespeare Antonio Beccadelli was a poet
historian who outraged the religious with his bawdy verse Hermaphroditus
Pietro Ranzano was a historian who wrote the history of Palermo
which focused on Jewish culture at the time when Jews risked expulsion from the island
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Michele Amari historian orientalist politician of Palermo studied the Sicilian Vespers
and the Muslim history of Sicily. He was a key figure in the Risorgimento,
the reunification of Italy and Sicily. Giovanni Verga novelist from Catania
who translated Cavalleria Rusticana into a theater play
for Mascagni to later convert it into an opera Luigi Pirandello dramatist from Agrigento
awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature whose work included "six characters in search of an author"
Maria Messina writer who focused on Sicilian culture and women. Enjoying a recent revival
Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa esteemed writer from Palermo
who wrote the book Gattopardo, later converted into the movie the Leopard
Leonardo Sciascia writer politician from Racalmuto who wrote about how the mafia affected society.
Andrea Camilleri novelist from Porto Empedocle who earned global fame
with the Inspector Montalbano books and tv series
Giuseppe Fava investigative writer who was murdered by the Mafia
Mario Francese journalist from Syracuse who was murdered by the Mafia
Maria Costa poet from Messina was declared a living human treasure by Unesco
Santi Visalli photojournalist from Messina who worked globally taking photos of
five American presidents and Andy Warhol Emma Baeri Sicilian feminist writer from Palermo
Peppino Impastato journalist political activist murdered by the Mafia
Lara Cardella novelist from Licata who scandalized Sicilian society with the
Good Girls Don’t Wear Trousers Phalaris tyrant of Agrigento who was famed for
cruelty and cannibalism he was eventually burnt alive in a torture device he had himself invented
Gelo tyrant of Syracuse
extensively developed Syracuse and beat the Carthaginians at the battle of Himera
Hiero the first tyrant of Syracuse beat the Carthaginians at the naval battle of Cumae.
He also promoted literature and culture in his court
Dionysius tyrant of Syracuse gained power through stealth and waged a lifelong battle against
Carthage. He made Syracuse the most powerful city in the Greek world
Timoleon tyrant of Syracuse who waged war on Carthage
and flirted with democracy when it suited him Agathocles tyrant of Syracuse from Termini Imilese
who rose to power to wage war on Carthage. He was referenced by Macchiavelli in the Prince
Hierro II tyrant of Syracuse who was a key figure in the first Punic war
he was praised by Macchiavelli in the Prince.
Euphemius Byzantine admiral who conspired with the Aghlabids to begin the invasion of Sicily
al-Hasan al-Kalbi the first Emir of Sicily Roger I the Norman who invaded the emirate of
Sicily and created the kingdom of Sicily. Roger ii king of Sicily who consolidated Norman control of
Sicily and imposed a single consistent government. Frederick ii king of Sicily Germany, Italy,
Jerusalem and holy Roman Emperor his nickname was "stupor mundi" the astonishment of the world
Manfred was the last Hohenstaufen king of Sicily he was killed at the
battle of Benevento by Charles I Anjou Charles I Anjou was the most powerful
christian king of his era his misrule in Sicily would eventually lead to the Sicilian Vespers
Francesco Crispi politician key figure in the Risorgimento eleventh prime minister of
Italy. His tough guy image inspired Mussolini despite being caught up in a financial scandal.
Verdi called him a great patriot. Vittorio Emanuele Orlando politician
23rd prime minister of Italy represented Italy at the 1919 Paris peace conference
Vincent R. Impellitteri from Isnello became the Mayor of New York City
Placido Rizzotto trade union leader from Corleone who was murdered by the Mafia
Cesare Terranova judge politician who fought the Mafia and was murdered
Pio La Torre politician who introduced a law to seize Mafia assets and was murdered
Giovanni Falcone judge from Palermo who developed
anti-mafia laws and was responsible for the Maxi trial his infamous death at Capaci is
the subject of numerous books and movies Paolo Borsellino judge from Palermo
whose infamous assassination soon after his lifelong friend Giovanni Falcone is the cause
of much heated debate. Sergio Mattarella judge politician current president of Italy
whose brother Piersanti was killed by the Mafia Nino di Matteo a judge from Palermo who
investigates Mafia and corruption. he lives with Mafia death sentence since 1993