Definition

Proper noun 1. An ancient city: The historical name for the modern city of Agrigento, located on the southern coast of Sicily, Italy. It was a major Greek colony, renowned in antiquity for its wealth and its impressive Doric temples.

Usage

• Acragas was founded as a Greek colony around 582 BC.
• The archaeological site of Acragas is famous for its Valley of the Temples.
• The philosopher Empedocles was a citizen of Acragas.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Reference: The name is used primarily in historical, archaeological, and classical contexts to refer to the ancient Greek city-state, distinguishing it from the modern city of Agrigento.
  • The power and splendor of Acragas in the 5th century BC were celebrated by the poet Pindar.

Variants and Related Words

• Agrigento (Proper noun): The modern Italian name for the city and province.
• Akragas (Proper noun): An alternate transliteration of the ancient Greek name (Ἀκράγας).

Synonyms

• (Modern name) Agrigento

Noun

1. a town in Italy in southwestern Sicily near the coast; the site of six Greek temples