2356837Collier's New Encyclopedia — Agrigentum

AGRIGENTUM (ag-rē-jen′tum) , the modern Girgenti, a town on the S. coast of Sicily, founded by a colony from Gela in 582 B. C., and in the earlier ages one of the most important places in the island. After being at first free, it was utterly demolished by the Carthaginians in 405 B. C. In the course of the Punic Wars it was compelled to submit to the Romans. From 827 to 1080 A. D. it was in the possession of the Saracens, from whom it was conquered by Count Roger Guiscard. The modern Girgenti still shows numerous and splendid ruins. Empedocles was born here.

Source: Collier's New Encyclopedia 1. (1921) New York: P.F. Collier & Son Company. 75.