History of Sicily politics in Greece itself, leading Athens, for example, to mount the disastrous Sicilian Expedition in 415 BC during the Peloponnesian War. In Greek mythology, the goddess Athena threw Mount Aitna onto the island of Sicily and upon either the gigante Enceladus or Typhon during the giants' war against the gods. The Greeks came into conflict with the Punic trading communities, by now effectively protectorates of Carthage, with its capital on the African mainland not far from the southwest corner of the island. Palermo was a Carthaginian city, founded in the 8th century BC, named Zis or Sis ("Panormos" to the
Euphemius (Sicily) While he was away, however, the Emperor Michael II the Amorian sent a letter ordering his demotion and punishment. Euphemius learned of this while returning to Sicily with his fleet. Euphemios, supported by the fleet, thereupon resolved to revolt. He was proclaimed by the fleet crews as emperor, and sailed for the capital of Sicily, Syracuse, which was quickly captured. The "patrikios" Constantine was either absent from the city or fled inland at his approach, but soon gathered an army and attacked him. Euphemius won, and forced the governor to seek refuge in Catana. When Euphemius sent his forces against