Syracuse, sir'a-kus, an ancient city of Sicily. It was situated at the extreme south-eastern corner of the island. In the days of Greek colonization Syracuse was a Greek city. It was founded by Greeks from Corinth about 734 B. C. It was at one time the largest and wealthiest commercial city in the world. As an intellectual center, Syracuse vied in its prime with Athens and Alexandria. There were half a million inhabitants. Remains may yet be seen of a Greek temple, baths, and theater. The present town has a population of about 32,000. It is a center of trade in olive oil, lemons, and oranges. A local movement has been established for the preservation of coins, sculpture, and other relics of antiquity. See ARCHIMEDES; THEOCRITUS; DIONYSIUS; ARETHUSA; SICILY.