syracuse, sicily

there was a constant battle over sicily (was sought after due to its strategic location). there was a strong presence of both the romans and the greeks in the sites that we visited.

roman presence...

another site for gladiatorial games

these huge stone boxes were for the wealthy people back in the day. this is where they would put them after they passed away, along with their jewels and other treasures. (the todd-ster and me "shooting" each other when we should have been listening to the guide...again.)

the greek influence? sicily used to be a greek colony. here's the greek ampitheatre, the heart of the city. it was the home of government and theatre.

other half of the ampitheatre

us in front of one of many caves at the top of the greek ampitheatre (where they would put dead bodies...ooooh, right up my alley!!!)

cave where prisoners were kept. it was unstable times back then...one day you could be a prominent greek man and the next you could be a slave.

one of the oldest temples in syracuse

piazza del duomo

the cathedral in piazza del duomo

inside the cathedral

check out the floors....amazing...

so what does one have for lunch after touring the historical sites of syracuse? fried calamari, of course!!! this meal was AWESOME.