DISCOVERING MODICA

Modica, Motyca, Motia, Mutyce... countless names given to this Sicilian town over the centuries... but... Have you... ever wondered what lies behind the foundation of the county of Modica and its most recent name?

We do and for this very reason we went in search of documents that would give us information about it and we can already tell you that the mystery that hovers behind the legend is based on a feeling of gratitude towards a Greek woman.

Without prejudice to the fact that it is a legend, let's retrace the steps of the god Heracles or Hercules, whatever you want to call it, to explain everything better.

From the seventeenth century until around the nineteenth century, the city of Modica was called the city of Hercules, this because the Roman god faced his tenth labor in Spain and defeated Geryon from whom he took away his red oxen as a sign of triumph; unfortunately however, once he arrived in Sicily he was robbed of it and consequently had to start a search to regain possession of it.

Of fundamental importance for the discovery of the animals was a Greek woman named Motia, to whom 3 different cities in Sicily, founded by Hercules himself, were evidently dedicated.

These cities were the locations where the oxen were found and they were:

• Mozia near Cape Lilybeum

• Mozia near Agrigento

• Mediterranean Mozia, present-day Modica.

Although we like to read and sometimes rely on legends, in this case concerning Modica, it is good to specify that there is evidence regarding (the fact) that the area was inhabited since prehistoric times and in fact thanks to its remains we can give a dating referring to around 3200 BC.

The land was inhabited by the Siculi, who were then succeeded by the Romans and the Greeks; in fact, regarding the latter population, certain traces have been found from the progressive process of Hellenization of Modica.

As proof of this, we can mention the two small caves that were found in the center of the city; the latter were historically used as burial chambers also given the presence of objects typical of Hellenic funerary functions.

We do not know to what extent this legend about Hercules and Motya has a basis in truth but we know for sure that many people stayed and changed the trend of the city of Modica and its economy.

And you? Do you know other legends about the foundation of Modica?

Let us know!

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