AGRIGENTUM, called by the Greeks .leragas, a -eity on the south-east of Sicily, the site of which is now partly occupied by Girgenti. The principal part of Agrigentum, next to Syracuse, the largest city in the island, was situated in the vale ; but its citadel stood near the top of a mountain, about 1100 feet above the level of the sea, forming a most magnificent spectacle at a distance. Antiquity has transmitted various tradi tions concerning its origin. Daedalus, the most cele brated artist of the fabulous ages, is said to have fled hither from the resentment of Minos, and to have built many wonderful edifices at the request of Cocalus, who then reigned in Sicily. Thucydides informs us, that long after that period, a colony from Gela settled on this spot ; and, having greatly enlarged the town, gave it the name of Acragas, from a neighbouring stream. According to Polyhius, however, it was Sounded by a colony of Rhodians ; while Strabo assigns that honour to the Ionians. No situation could be more pleasant than that of Agrigentum, or more favourable for the purposes either of security or of commerce. The am ple vale on which it stood was watered by the rivers Hypsa and Acragas, at the mouth of the latter of which there was a commodious harbour; while the plain, widening towards the shore, was freshened by the sea-breeze ; and afforded a noble and uninterrupt ed prospect of the ocean : Verdant hills sheltered it behind, and a ridge of abrupt rocks presented a strong natural barrier, which the additional fortifications of art rendered almost impregnable. The commercial spirit which these natural advantages excited, derived still greater energy from the freedom of their government, and raised them to a height of opulence and power, rivalled by the syracithans alone. Buildings of singular beauty and grandeur adorned all parts of the city. Of these the temple of Jupiter Olympias was the most re markable. It was 340 feet long, 60 broad, and 120 in height. Its C011111111S and porticoes were in the finest st3le of architecture : and its bas-reliefs and paintings executed with admirable taste. On its eastern wall was
sculptured the battle of the giants; while the western represented the Trojan war, corresponding exactly with the description which Virgil has given of the painting in the temple of Juno at Carthage ; (fEnrid. i. 460.) A church is now erected on foundations of large regular stones, which were formerly part of a temple dedicated to Ceres and Proserpine ; and a road to this temple ap pears, hewn in the solid rock. Majestic columns still remain, which indicate the former grandeur of the tem ple of Juno. An edifice of the Doric order, called the Temple of Concord, has still its walls, its columns, en tablature, and pediments, entire; and is now converted into a church, consecrated to St Gregory, bishop of Gir genti. The other remains of the ancient magnificence of Agrigentum, are, the temple of Hercules, the tooth of IIiero, the temple of IEsculapius, and the temple of Castor and Pollux. On one side of the city there was a large lake or fish-pond, dug out of the solid rock by Car thaginian captives, and to which the water was convey ed from the hills. It is described by Diudorus as seven furlongs in circuit, and thirty feet deep ; great quanti ties of fish were bred in it for the public feasts; swans and other water fowls were kept on it for the amuse ment of the citizens ; and the depth of its water secured the city on that side from the sudden assault of an ene my. Ali. Swinburne informs us, that it is now quite dry, and has been converted into a garden. It is a curious fact, that though the whole space within the walls of the ancient city abounds with traces of antiquity, there arc no ruins which can be supposed to have belonged to places of public entertainment. The Agrigentines were remarkably fond of shows and dramatic entertain ments ; and their connexion with the Romans must have introduced among them the savage games of the circus. Theatres and amphitheatres seem peculiarly calculated to resist the outrages of time ; yet not a vestige of their form is to be seen on the site of Agrigentum.