Polibio e Diodoro a confronto: problemi testuali (Polyb. 1.47.2) e nuove osservazioni sui porti e la topografia di Lilibeo antica

This paper aims to clarify the role played by the harbours of Lilybaeum during the military operations carried out by Romans against the city in the last decade of the First Punic War (250–241 BC), following the accounts given by Polybius and Diodorus Siculus. Textual enquiry requires taking into account some important topographic and logistic features. The study suggests that Romans’ military operations were carried out in two distinct zones, the ‘Punta d’Alga’ harbour and the ‘Palude delle Tartane’ (name given to that place in the 17th century), also called ‘Palude di Margitello’. It also deals with a corrupt passage of Polybius’ “Histories”, 1.47.2.