Itala, Sicily

Itala
Comune di Itala
Location of Itala
Itala Location of Itala in Italy Show map of Italy Itala Itala (Sicily) Show map of Sicily
Coordinates: 38°03′04″N15°26′13″E / 38.05111°N 15.43694°E / 38.05111; 15.43694
Country	Italy
Region	Sicily
Metropolitan city	Messina
Frazioni	Borgo, Casaleddo, Croce, Mannello, Marina di Itala, Quartiere del Medico (Quartarello)
Government
• Mayor	Daniele Laudini
Elevation	210 m (690 ft)
Population  (2018-01-01)
• Total	approx. 1,500
Demonym	italesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	98025
ISTAT code	083036
Website	http://www.comuneitala.it/

Itala is a comune (municipality) of Messina in the Italian region Sicily. ^[1]

Itala borders the following municipalities: Alì, Alì Terme, Fiumedinisi, Messina, Scaletta Zanclea.

Possible origin of the town name

Because of similarity to the country name (Italia versus Itala), the origins of the name have been studied extensively. ^[2]

One theory, according to the historian Dionysius of Halicarnassus, who in turn cites Antiochus of Syracuse, posits the name "Italia" (and presumably also "Itala") likely derives from its mythical founder "Italus," son of Oenotrus (the youngest of fifty sons of Lycaon from Arcadia): ^[3]

And Antiochus of Syracuse,⁠ a very early historian, in his account of the settlement of Italy, when enumerating the most ancient inhabitants in the order in which each of them held possession of any part of it, says that the first who are reported to have inhabited that country are the Oenotrians.

His words are these: "Antiochus, the son of Xenophanes, wrote this account of Italy, which comprises all that is most credible and certain out of the ancient tales; this country, which is now called Italy, was formerly possessed by the Oenotrians."

Then he relates in what manner they were governed and says that in the course of time Italus came to be their king, after whom they were named Italians; that this man was succeeded by Morges  [ it ], after whom they were called Morgetes, and that Siculus, being received as a guest by Morges and setting up a kingdom for himself, divided the nation. After which he adds these words: "Thus those who had been Oenotrians became Sicels, Morgetes and Italians."

—  Dionysius of Halicarnassus, The Roman Antiquities, via penelope.uchicago.edu ^[3]

Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul

The Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is located in Itala. The church dates from (at least) the 11th century. ^[4]

External links

• Itala comune official website

References

1. "Itala comune official site". comune.itala.me.it.
2. "Itala comune official site, "Living in the comune" page". comune.itala.me.it.
3. "The Roman Antiquities (Book 1), by Dionysius of Halicarnassus". penelope.uchicago.edu.
4. "Il Monastero dei Santi Pietro e Paolo d'Itala". visitme.comune.messina.it.