Sicily: Culture and Conquest

‘Raging bulls, Medusas, Madonnas… there are riches and mysteries galore in this enthralling survey of Sicilian history from the ancient Greeks to the Normans - The Guardian 

A richly illustrated book surveying the history and archaeology of ancient and medieval Sicily - the exhibition catalogue from the 2016 British Museum show.

Sicily has been shaped by waves of conquest and settlement by different peoples over 4,000 years. Since the 7th century BC, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Normans all settled or invaded the island, lured by its fertile lands and strategic location. Over time, this series of conquests forged a cultural identity unlike any other.

This handsome book, which accompanies the British Museum exhibition of 2016 tells Sicily’s fascinating stories – from the arrival of the Greeks and their encounters with the Phoenicians and other settlers, to the extraordinary period of enlightenment under Norman rule in the 11th to 13th centuries. Over 200 remarkable objects are presented here, including sculptural decorations from temples, churches and palaces, stunning gold jewellery, and spectacular mosaics and textiles. 

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