Sulci facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sulci
Σολκοί
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City
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 Sulci
Location in Sardinia
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| Country | Italy |
Sulci (also called Sulki) was an important ancient city. It was located on the island of Sardinia, which is part of modern-day Italy. The city was built on a small island called Sant'Antioco. This island is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of sand.
South of this sandy strip, there is a large bay. Today, it is known as the Golfo di Palmas. In ancient times, this bay was called the Sulcitanus Portus.
The Founding of Sulci
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Sulci was first founded by people from Tyre (a city in ancient Phoenicia) around the late 800s BC. Most of the people living there were native Sardinians. The city stayed independent for a long time.
Later, the powerful Carthaginians took control of Sulci in the late 500s BC. Carthage was a strong empire from North Africa. Sulci became one of their most important cities in Sardinia.
The city's name first appeared in history during the First Punic War. This was a big war between Carthage and Ancient Rome. In 258 BCE, a Carthaginian general named Hannibal Gisco was defeated in a sea battle near Sulci. He tried to find safety in the city. However, his own soldiers turned against him and killed him there.
Sulci During Roman Times
Sulci is mentioned again during the civil war in Rome. This war was between two famous Roman leaders, Pompey and Julius Caesar. The people of Sulci helped Pompey's fleet by letting them use their port and giving them supplies.
After Caesar won the war and returned from Africa in 46 BCE, he punished Sulci. He made the city pay a very large fine of 100,000 sesterces. He also greatly increased the amount of grain they had to give to Rome each year.
Even after this punishment, Sulci continued to be a rich and important city under the Roman Empire. Ancient writers like Strabo and Mela said it was the second most important city in Sardinia. Inscriptions found there also show it was a significant Roman town.
Road maps from ancient times show a main road going directly to Sulci. This proves how important the city was. Sulci was also one of the four main church centers in Sardinia. People continued to live there through much of the Middle Ages. However, the city eventually disappeared before the 1200s.
Sulci Today: What Remains?
You can still see the remains of the ancient city of Sulci today. They are located just north of the modern town of Sant'Antioco. Many ancient artworks have been found there. These discoveries show how successful and busy Sulci was during Roman times.
The name Sulcis is still used today for the entire area on the mainland across from Sant'Antioco. This area is one of the most fertile and well-farmed parts of Sardinia. The "Sulcitani" people mentioned by the ancient writer Ptolemy were likely the people who lived in this region.
It's important not to confuse this famous Sulci with another small town or village also called Sulci. That other place was on the eastern coast of Sardinia. It was probably located near Girasole or Tortolì.
See also
- Sulcis
- Sulcis Mountains
- Sulcis-Iglesiente
