On This Day
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Syracuse is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily

Syracuse is a city and municipality, capital of the free municipal consortium of the same name, located in the autonomous region of Sicily in Southern Italy.

Syracuse is a city and municipality, capital of the free municipal consortium of the same name, located in the autonomous region of Sicily in Southern Italy. As of 2025, with a population of 115,636, it is the fourth most populous city in Sicily, following Palermo, Catania, and Messina.

Situated on the southeastern coast of the island, Syracuse boasts a millennia-long history: counted among the largest metropolises of the classical age, it rivaled Athens in power and splendor, and Athens unsuccessfully attempted to subjugate it. It was the birthplace of the mathematician Archimedes, who led its defense during the Roman siege in 212 BC. Syracuse became the capital of the Byzantine Empire under Constans II.

Historical Significance

Syracuse is a city and municipality, capital of the free municipal consortium of the same name, located in the autonomous region of Sicily in Southern Italy.

Events Before

  1. Battle at Reading: Ethelred I of Wessex defeated by Danish invasion army

    Æthelred I (alt. Aethelred, Ethelred; Old English: Æthel-ræd, lit. 'noble counsel'; 845/848 – 871) was King of Wessex from 865 until his death in 871.

  2. Battle of Basing: Danish invasion army beats Saxon Ethelred of Wessex

    Battle of Basing: Danish invasion army beats Saxon Ethelred of Wessex

  3. John VIII elected as Catholic Pope

    John VIII elected as Catholic Pope

  4. Charles the Bald crowned emperor of Rome

    Charles the Bald (French: Charles le Chauve; 13 June 823 – 6 October 877) was a king of West Francia (843–77), king of Italy (875–77) and emperor of the Carolingian Empire (875–77).

  5. Battle at Andernach: East Frankish king Louis the Younger heavily defeats the West Frankish king Charles the Bald

    Louis the German (German: Ludwig der Deutsche; c. 806/810 – 28 August 876), also known as Louis II of Germany (German: Ludwig II.

Events After

  1. Louis III becomes King of West Francia

    In medieval historiography, West Francia or the Kingdom of the West Franks constitutes the initial stage of the Kingdom of France and extends from the Treaty of Verdun in 843 to 987, the beginning of...

  2. Pope John VIII gives blessings to duke Branimir and to Croatian people, considered to be international recognition of th

    Pope John VIII gives blessings to duke Branimir and to Croatian people, considered to be international recognition of the Croatian state

  3. Battle of Saucourt: French King Louis III defeats the Vikings

    Louis III (863/65 – 5 August 882) was King of West Francia from 879 until his death in 882.

  4. Marinus I begins his reign as Catholic Pope succeeding John VIII

    Marinus I begins his reign as Catholic Pope succeeding John VIII

  5. Marinus I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

    Marinus I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

More from the 870s

Battle at Reading: Ethelred I of Wessex defeated by Danish invasion army

Æthelred I (alt. Aethelred, Ethelred; Old English: Æthel-ræd, lit. 'noble counsel'; 845/848 – 871) was King of Wessex from 865 until his death in 871.

Alfred, King of Wessex, is surprised by a nighttime attack in Chippenham, by the Great Viking Army led by Guthrum the Da

Alfred, King of Wessex, is surprised by a nighttime attack in Chippenham, by the Great Viking Army led by Guthrum the Dane. Alfred escapes into the Somerset marshes.

Battle of Basing: Danish invasion army beats Saxon Ethelred of Wessex

Battle of Basing: Danish invasion army beats Saxon Ethelred of Wessex

8th Ecumenical council ends in Constantinople

An ecumenical council, also called general council, is a meeting of bishops and other church authorities to consider and rule on questions of Christian doctrine, administration, discipline, and other...

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 21, 878?
Syracuse is a city and municipality, capital of the free municipal consortium of the same name, located in the autonomous region of Sicily in Southern Italy. As of 2025, with a population of 115,636, it is the fourth most populous city in Sicily, following Palermo, Catania, and Messina. Situated on the southeastern coast of the island, Syracuse boasts a millennia-long history: counted among the largest metropolises of the classical age, it rivaled Athens in power and splendor, and Athens unsuccessfully attempted to subjugate it.
Why is Syracuse is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily significant?
Syracuse is a city and municipality, capital of the free municipal consortium of the same name, located in the autonomous region of Sicily in Southern Italy.

Explore More

May 21 in HistoryYear 878