Agrigento: History

Founded with the name of Akragas by the inhabitants of Gela in the 6th century BC., Agrigento quickly became an important centre in Magna Grecia, as can be seen from the massive remains still visibile near the town. Destroyed by Carthage in 406 BC., it rose again and about two centuries later was under Roman rule. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it was dominated by the Goths and then the Byzantines (6th century), under whose rule it sharply declined until, in 829, it was taken by the Arabs, who destroyed the town only to rebuild it on a higher site.