Before the coming of the Greeks Sicily was occupied by the Elymi (settlers from Troy), Sicani (aboriginal inhabitants), and Siculi (settlers from central Italy)

Sicily was one of the first areas colonized by the Greeks--beginning around 750 bce.

The east coast was colonized by three states: Chalcis, Corinth, and Megara.

Chalcis, an Ionian city, together with the island of Naxos, established the first colony in Sicily--Naxos--and from there colonized Catana and Leontini (729).

In 720 the Chalcidians colonized Rhegium in South Italy.

Corinthians, who were Dorians, settled Syracuse in 734, and Syracuse founded Helorus and other cities in the southeastern part of the island.

Megara founded Megara Hyblaea in 728/7, and from there Selinus was founded 651/0.

Locri was founded 680 from either East or West Locris

Egesta was not a Greek colony but an Elymnian settlement Hellenized in the 6th century.

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