Jean-Claude Richard, abbé de Saint-Non (1727-1791) was a French clergyman, engraver and painter. He was exiled from Paris for political reasons and lived from then onwards in Poitiers. Eventully, hemade the choice to devote himself to his artistic interests (art, archaeology and music), and thus resigned from his public office as a judge. After 1759 Saint-Non lived in England for some time, and later moved to Italy (1759-1761). He travelled to Naples and Sicily with painter Fragonard and H. Robert. He released first his drawings of the monuments of Rome, which soon won over the public; thus, in 1777 he was able to publish his account and drawings of the “enchanting” journey to Magna Graecia. After ensuring financial support from sponsors, he prepared this five-volume work with enthusiasm, in spite of the difficulties which arose (1781-1786). The chronicle is comprised of Saint-Non's texts (a review of the history of Southern Italy and studies on Naples, Pompey, Herculanum and their neighbouring areas), and the corresponding plates. Two of the volumes are dedicated to Sicily.

Saint-Non was acquainted with several eminent artists and scholars of his time. He also created a series of engravings. This account has been republished by publishing houses of Naples (1980-81) and Rome (1986). At present the website includes one of the five volumes of the edition.

This is a historical, geographical, artistic, philological and archaeological work, which is supported by five hundred and forty-two plates. A team of artists (engravers, draughtsmen and painters) contributed to this edition, which also sources information from other travel works. Thus the edition of Saint-Non made up for a vast lack of information on the lesser-known locations and monuments of Southern Italy.

Written by Ioli Vingopoulou

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  Title page.

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  1. View of the port of Syracuse from the sea, with Mount Aetna in the background. 2. View of the port of Syracuse from the city.

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  Map of Syracuse, showing some of the main sights and monuments. In (1), imaginary reconstruction of the temple of Athena.

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  1. View of the outer peristyle of the temple of Athena, today part of the cathedral church of Syracuse. 2. Fountain of Arethousa, Syracuse.

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  View of the ancient theare of Syracuse, before it was excavated.

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  1. The quarries of Syracuse. 2. Interior of the quarries.

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  View of the quarry known as “Ear of Dioynusius” in Syracuse. 2. View of the interior of the quarry.

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  Ancient coins of Syracuse.

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  View of quarries in Syracuse. At the time of the author's visit, the quarry was within the garden of the Capuchin monastery.

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  1. View of the catacombs of Saint John in Syracuse. 2. View of the central catacomb of the complex.

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  1. View of the ancient theatre of Syracuse. 2. View of the funerary monument known as the “Grave of Archimedes”.

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  1. View of river Anapo, which runs through the city of Syracuse. 2. The remains of the temple of Olympian Zeus in Syracuse.

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  Papyrus plants and other flora typical of Sicily.

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  View of the caves of Ispica at Ispica, Val di Noto Province, Sicily.

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  1. Monumental building at Syracuse. 2. Stairway carved into lava stone from Mount Etna near Catania, Sicily.

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  Ancient coins of Syracuse.

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  1. Landscape near Piazza Armerina, Sicily. 2. Landscape near Pietrapercia, Sicily.

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  1. Stone bridge near the necropolis of Pantalica, Sicily. 2. The necropolis of Pantalica in Sicily, at the site of ancient Herbessus.

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  1. Mound of volvanic material from the volcano of Etna, Sicily. 2. Landscape at Val di Noto, Sicily.

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  Coins from Leontium, Megara Hyblaea and Camarina, ancient cities near Syracuse.

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  Views of Vulcano island, part of Isole Eolie complex.

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  View of the island and volcano of Stromboli.

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  Ancient coins of Lipari.

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  Ancient coins of Gelo and his brother Hiero, rulers of Syracuse.

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  Ancient coins of Dionysius the Elder, Agathocles and Pyrrhus, rulers of Syracuse.

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  Ancient coins of Hiero II, Queen Philistis, Theron of Acragas and Phintias of Acragas.

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  Roman coins from Sicily.