Claim: Archimedes was a mathematician.

Syracuse -LRB- -LSB- ˈsɪrəˌkjuːs , _ - ˌkjuːz -RSB- Siracusa , -LSB- siraˈkuːza -RSB- ; Sarausa/Seragusa Syrācūsae Συράκουσαι , Syrakousai ; Medieval Συρακοῦσαι -RRB- is a historic city in Sicily , the capital of the province of Syracuse . The city is notable for its rich Greek history , culture , amphitheatres , architecture , and as the birthplace of the preeminent mathematician and engineer Archimedes . This 2,700-year-old city played a key role in ancient times , when it was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world . Syracuse is located in the southeast corner of the island of Sicily , next to the Gulf of Syracuse beside the Ionian Sea .   The city was founded by Ancient Greek Corinthians and Teneans and became a very powerful city-state . Syracuse was allied with Sparta and Corinth and exerted influence over the entirety of Magna Graecia , of which it was the most important city . Described by Cicero as `` the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all '' , it equaled Athens in size during the fifth century BC . It later became part of the Roman Republic and Byzantine Empire . After this Palermo overtook it in importance , as the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily . Eventually the kingdom would be united with the Kingdom of Naples to form the Two Sicilies until the Italian unification of 1860 .   In the modern day , the city is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site along with the Necropolis of Pantalica . In the central area , the city itself has a population of around 125,000 people . The inhabitants are known as Siracusans . Syracuse is mentioned in the Bible in the Acts of the Apostles book at 28:12 as Paul stayed there . The patron saint of the city is Saint Lucy ; she was born in Syracuse and her feast day , Saint Lucy 's Day , is celebrated on 13 December .