syracuse Summary and Overview

a city on the south-east coast of Sicily, where Paul landed and remained three days when on his way to Rome (Acts 28:12). It was distinguished for its magnitude and splendour. It is now a small town of some 13,000 inhabitants.

the celebrated city on the eastern coast of Sicily. "The city in its splendor was the largest and richest that the Greeks possessed in any part of the world, being 22 miles in circumference." St. Paul arrived thither in an Alexandrian ship from Melita, on his voyage to Rome. #Ac 28:12| The site of Syracuse rendered it a convenient place for the African corn-ships to touch at, for the harbor was an excellent one, and the fountain Arethusa in the island furnished an unfailing supply of excellent water.

SYR'ACUSE , a noted city in the eastern part of Sicily at which Paul spent three days while on his voyage to Rome. Acts 28:12. It is well situated for commerce, having the best harbor in Sicily. The city was colonized by the Corinthians, b.c. 758, and in the third century before Christ its walls, according to one authority, were 22 miles in circumference. It was taken by the Romans, b.c. 212, after a long struggle. Archimedes, who had greatly aided in the defence by his mechanical genius, was killed in the general slaughter. In Paul's time it was a convenient place for the Alexandrian corn-ships to stop at, for the harbor was good and the water from the fountain Arethusa excellent. The modern town is situated upon the islet Ortygia, but the principal ancient ruins are upon the main island. The present town has little commerce and enterprise. It bears the Italian name Siracusa.

A great city in the E. of Sicily. Paul arrived there from Melita ("Malta") on his way to Rome (Acts 28:12). A convenient place for the Alexandrian grain ships to touch at, for the haven was good and the water from the fountain Arethusa excellent. The prevalent wind in this part of the Mediterranean, the W.N.W., would carry the vessel from Malta round the S. of Sicily to the eastern shore on which lay Syracuse. They waited three days there for the wind, then by a circuitous course, necessitated by the direction of the wind, reached Rhegium.