Camico, la prima reggia dei Sicani

Abstract

The idea of locating the ancient town of Camicus in the archaeological area of Sant’Angelo Muxaro seems the most convincing still today. Camicus’ memory is linked to the mythical deeds performed by Cocalus, king of the Sicanians. Diodorus Siculus’ description of the hill where Cocalus’ unassailable palace was built by the famous Greek architect, Daedalus, reminds of the Monte Castello site: the palace was surrounded by steep slopes; access to the palace was made only from a narrow road that could easily be defended by few soldiers. This hill is located at a short distance from the current town of Sant'Angelo Muxaro, where there are traces of settlement dating to the Late Bronze Age. Ancient literary sources often describe Camicus as a town suffering expansionism by Akragas, Gela’s colony, especially due to its geographical position. For Camicus controlled a long stretch of the Halykos river (today Platani). Since the Bronze Age the river connected the southern coast of Sicily to its hinterland, a region called Sicania. This area was famous for its natural resources, salt, sulphur, rock salt, other than for rich farm production. Relationships between the Greeks form Akragas and the Sicanians of Camicus were largely hostile; these can be glimpsed in Greek mythical accounts which describe Camicus’ palace as an impregnable stronghold against the attempts made by the Cretans led by Minos. The important role played by this Sicanian town in relation to historical events involving central and south Sicily across time can be inferred from the peculiar interest towards Camicus shown by several leaders of Akragas (such as Phalaris, Theron, Hippocrates and Capys, Theron’s cousins), and, later, by Romans on the occasion of military operations leading to the conquest of Akragas during the First Punic War.