History and etymology of Buscemi

We observe that by saying that Buscemi is of Arab origin, we are asserting an historical truth, but at the same time we make a glaring simplification. In fact, the site of Buscemi has a very ancient history, which over the centuries has attracted much interest among scholars.

To realize the importance of the archaeological site of Buscemi, there's nothing better than starting with the words of Paolo Orsi (1859-1935), whose discoveries established a long and fruitful period of researches. P. Orsi wrote: "[...] Buscemi is a large village of the Syracusan high mountain (m. 750) in the upper reaches of the river Anapo; it is in front of Palazzolo, the ancient ‘Akrai’, divided from it by the broad and deep valley, at bottom of which the river flow.

The oldest data referring to it date back to 12th century, but the name of Buscemi is of Arabic origin, and this village is mentioned several times in the “Italia descritta nel Libro del Re Ruggero”  ['"Italy described in the Book of King Roger"] by Idrisi [1099-1166] (Amari and Schiaparelli's edition, p. 53-55). However, the archaeological exploration of the soil can be traced back well over several centuries. Called by some discoveries on the site, I spent in the country almost all of November 1897, circling it in each direction, so that I can say that I know it  very well.

The local oral tradition, which I consider correct, says as Buscemi before  the eighteenth century did not arise in the current site, but on the opposite small hill called St. Nicholas (m 759), flattened on top, with steep descents, open and sunny and somewhat protected from northerly winds, suited for an ancient village; in the craggy rocks of the western and southern slopes I found a fifty sepulchral chambers of the third Sicilian period  (fifth-seventh centuries BC), which, being in a totally naked land, were 'ab antiquo' robbed of everything, and indeed many of them were turned into small Christian underground vaults, dating back to the fifth-seventh centuries BC. On top of this small hill, then I found some Greek graves, all explored by peasants; from information obtained on their contents, I gather that they date back to upper times.

A couple of kilometers north of the village, the mountain is crossed by the ‘Cava S. Georgio’, in whose top there is a Sikan necropolis with about sixty other small rooms, and specifically in the site called ‘Geràme’. I explored one third of them, finding all the others are empty, and according to the few bronzes and pottery collection, I decided that the necropolis dates back to the end of the second Sicilian period ('Notizie degli Scavi', 1898, p. 37) [...]” ( See P. Orsi, “Buscemi. Sacri spechi con iscrizioni greche scoperti presso Akrai”, in “Notizie degli scavi di antichità comunicate alla R. Accademia dei Lincei”, Roma,  1899, pp. 452 sgg.).

In addition, P. Orsi discovered several inscriptions, but many of them  were mutilated and very difficult to interpret; However, about some of them the eminent archaeologist gave an excellent essay of his expertise, providing guidance that were later developed, bringing more knowledge about the origin of ancient peoples who inhabited the site of Buscemi, which could be the mythical "Herbessos", of which Ptolemy (100-175 AD) spoken: "[...] If the numerous inscriptions that lined the walls of large rooms, and especially the second, were received by us in good condition, in such a way as to allow a thorough reading of them, the destination of the caves and  their cult would be  promptly clarified. Instead, being contents with their “tituli” (inscriptions) mutilated, I have reached only a partial interpretation of them (...) A lot of them has lists of names preceded by a chronological indication; the most complete inscription (No. 3) lists the names of Roman consuls of 35 AD,  and that of the 'Amphipolos ton paidon" of the city, to whom the sanctuary and "iereia" were referred.

The "anphipolos" was a priestly dignity of which we have only two samples in Sicily, at Syracuse (Kaibel 9) and Centuripe (K. 574); by Diodorus [90-27 BC] (XVI, 70) we know that in Syracuse there was still the “anfipolos Dios Olimpios” (...) But what were the gods to the cult of which the priests devoted themselves? The inscriptions repeatedly remind (...) two probably feminine and virgins sisters deities,  but who are these "Theai paides", now for the first time revealed by the inscriptions of Buscemi, is not easy to determine, missing all memory of them, at least with this epithet, in texts, inscriptions and   coins.  However, we hypothesize an allusion to the Muses (also buck uped by the presence of Apollo), or ‘Charites’, but because the fundamental concept embodied in the name indicates a feminine dualism, we think Demeter and Cora, ever jointly quoted, because almost never separated,  and revered at Tauromenio and Akrai  as "agnai theai" (K. 204, 431), that is as very holy goddesses. Demeter and Cora are  two Sicilian goddess par excellence, which had a cult not only in all Greek cities but also in many Sikan cities (...) They are the goddesses who preside over the fertility of the land, the increasing number of herds; besides this they are the goddess of the mountains, water and forests, and preferably they have their religion and live in caves (...) These Nymphs had a special devotion not only to Syracuse (Atheneus VI, 250 A) but in the nearby Akrai (Kaibel 219) (...) Less obscure is the deity called ‘Anassa’ (inscription 2), on a cult of which in Sicily there was no literary or epigraphic memory, but no one will hesitate to recognize in them the goddess Artemis,  identified with the " Artemis Persiché" or " Artemis Anaitis", the goddess of fertility and vitality of nature [...]".

The long  P. Orsi's survey on the "Paides" brought very interesting results also from the ethnic point of view, as was found out by Margaret Guarducci that the peoples who inhabited this area were the ancient Sicules (in Latin ‘Siculi’, Greek “Sikeloi’). The cult of "Anassa" by P. Orsi referred was in fact an ancient Siculian and Roman cult; the Romans kept a special devotion to the goddess "Anna", the goddess of fertility. It was highlighted by Margaret Guarducci in an essay of 1934, in which she wrote: "What may particularly attract our attention are the same deities worshiped in the sanctuary of Buscemi (...) The cult of "Anassa"-Anna leads to the conclusion in which historians and linguists agree, that is the Latins and the Sicules belong to the same ethnic layer, the first wave of Indo-European peoples who had invaded the whole Italian peninsula, also passing the Strait of Sicily (...)

The presence of "Anna" among the Romans and the Sicules would confirm the original unity of these two peoples "(See M. Guarducci, “Il culto di Anna e delle Paides nelle iscrizioni sicule di Buscemi, e il culto di Anna Perenna”, in  “Studi e materiali di storia delle religioni”, 1934, pp. 30, 48-49). The conclusion of M. Guarducci has been confirmed by contemporary studies: "Around a triad of paides, Graecised in Kore, Artemis and Athena, the followers of Anna, as evidenced by the inscription of Buscemi, Anna, who is venerated in a Shrine Cave, has the dimension of  a pre-Greek mother, benevolent and meaningful consent; in  the name lives the Akkadian 'anna', 'annu' (consent, approval, positive divine answer to a query) "(See G. Semeraro, “Le origini della cultura europea”, Olschki, 1984, Vol II, p. 173). With  regard to the relations with the cult of "Anna Peranna" among the Romans, it suggested "the beginning and the end of the year. This concept was affirmed more and more, and the goddess (…) finally was invoked as the goddess of the year; and this is attested by Macrobius (5th century) with the verb ' annare ',' perannare '" ( See, “La parola del Passato”, 1972, p. 404).

Finally, P. Orsi also mentioned another thorny subject on the ancient Buscemi, denying that it could be identified with the ancient "Herbessos" (Latin "Herbessus"): "[...] Finally, There is a  topographical question (...) I have not found in Buscemi and its immediate boundaries archeological documents that prove the existence in the site of a Greek or Greek-Roman small town ... I know that some scholars, however with lack of evidence, would be placed  the ancient Herbessus in Buscemi, but, for the reasons stated, I think that this identification not has a leg to stand on. If so, there can be no doubt about the choice, the only nearby and important city which can boast of connections with our sanctuary is Akrai [...]". So, while Ettore Pais claimed with great conviction that "Herbessus" was Buscemi, or was very close to it, P. Orsi was very skeptical.

We also observe that the arguments of Ettore Pais were very convincing: "[...] Herbessus kept the food supplies of the Romans, when they, during the first Punic War, besieged Agrigentum; it was occupied with the betrayal by the Carthaginian general Hanno. Presumably then, the city was punished by the Carthaginians, as Diodorus said that it was devoid of inhabitants. During the Second Punic War, 540 = year 214 (…) it is true that the city capitulated submitting to the consul Marcellus, but it did not obtain  the forgiveness of the Romans, since it became a ‘censoria’ city (...) Bearing in mind these data and as I was eager to find in the place where stood the ancient Herbessus, I pass through the plateau overlooking Syracuse (...) How attests Mr. Giovanni di Natale, around 1870  was discovered here an ancient necropolis. I do not hesitate to place here the ancient Herbessus, where Hippocrates and Epidius retreated, after the capture of Leontini.

The position of Buscemi also topographically corresponds  to the Herbessus of Ptolemy, who placed the city among Leontini and Netum. It, like citadel, was one of the extreme western limits of the reign of Hieron [...]" (See E. Pais, “Alcune osservazioni sulla storia e sulla amministrazione della Sicilia ...”, 1888, pp. 153-156) . The controversy between supporters of two opposing theories dragged on for the entire twentieth century, with very uncertain results. Today, it "would seem" that Buscemi has a little lost its battle, because "Herbessos" "would be identified" with the “Montagna di Marzo”, close to Agrigento.

The issue was summed up like this by M. I. Gulletta: "[...] On the location of  Erbesso in the ‘Montagna di Marzo’  (or gravitating in the area around the site) cf. G. Bejor, "Erbesso" BTCGI, VII, Pisa-Rome 1989, 282-278, and, most recently, G. Manganaro, "Sikelika, Studi di antichità e di epigrafia della Sicilia greca” , Pisa - Rome 1999, 7-33, where the author confirms an earlier hypothesis, based on the discovery of coins in the ancient Erbesso, among which the specimen D / head of Sikelia, R[ecto] / eagle worrying a snake (...) The representation of an eagle with a snake ... allows to better identify the area where the city be drawned. Erbesso would thus be to identify with the site of ‘Montagna di Marzo’, far from Agrigento approx. 60-70 km [...]" (See M.I. Gulletta, “Timoleonte, Entella e la sua 'Chora'”, in “Quarte giornate internazionali di studi sull'area elima” , 2003, II, p. 811 note 112).

However, things are far from defined, because, again in 2004, we read: "Herbessenses: la ville s'appelle Herbessos (-esos, essus-,-Esus); the aspiration est parfois  maintenue en grec (Liv. XXIV, 30; Diod. XIV, 7; Sil. XIV, 264). Mod. Buscemi? (Winkler et Konig), en tout cas un site dans l'arrière-pays de Syracuse [Herbessenses, the city is called Herbessos (-esos, essus-,-Esus);  the aspiration is sometimes kept in Greek. Maybe  it is the current Buscemi. In any case, it is a site in the hinterland of Syracuse] (See H. Zehnacker," Plin the ancien Histoire Naturelle, "Les Belles Lettres, 2004, p. 2003). And Erik Sjöqvist wrote: "It is uncertain where Herbessus was situated, but it is assumed generally that it was not very far from Syracuse, possibly at the present village of Buscemi" (See Erik Sjöqvist, "Sicily and the Greeks: Studies in the Between the interrelationship and the Greek colonists Indigenous Populations, "University of Michigan Press, 1973, p. 57). Finally, Eugenio Manni, starting with an indication of Vibio Sequestre (4th century), who spoke of a river called 'Herbesos', "agrees the identification of Herbessos with Buscemi and therefore he considers that the river should be found in the vicinity of  Buscemi, in an Anapo tributary "(See, “Annuario della Scuola archeologica di Atene e delle missioni italiane in Oriente”, 2006, Vol I, p. 272).

The Byzantine period was very important for Buscemi, in the territory of which were built some religious buildings of great historical and artistic prestige. Once again  were fundamental the discoveries of Paolo Orsi: "On the opposite side of the ravine there are two small Christian catacombs, (…) [and] a very ancient church, all carved in the rock and surrounded by graves and pit arcosolium: it was the ancient shrine of St. Peter "(On this subject See again by P. Orsi (“Nuove Chiese Bizantine nel territorio di Siracusa”, in “Byzantinische Zeitschrift”, 1899, pp. 613-642). These ruins consist mainly in churches and rock sanctuaries, often attached to some monasteries. More recently we have a brief but exhaustive study of it," [...] At close range from Buscemi, in fact, is located (…) a Sikan necropolis, consisting of tombs carved into the limestone. It was very easy, therefore, use these spaces and turn them into churches; the walls were often painted with sacred images of which still remains some trace. In fact, the Sikan tombs were located in niches along the walls of the rooms, and these recesses were re-used by the Christians […]” (See M. Laudani, “Breve ricognizione di alcune chiesette bizantine nella Sicilia orientale. Secoli VI-VIII” in “Porphyra”, 2006, VIII, pp. 77 - 79).

If the Byzantine period was important, the Arab times were crucial; in fact,   "Buscemi" derives from an Arabic name. With  regard to the etymology, F. Maurici stressed that surely Buscemi derives from a  "nickname of an Arab man on the model of 'qal' at Abu Shammah '; Buscemi therefore means ‘the fortress belonging to the man with the mole’” ( See F. Maurici, "Castelli medievali in Sicilia ...", Sellerio, 1992, p. 70). This etymology is essentially shared by all specialists: " According to G. B. Pellegrini (1972, p. 382, ??317), G. Caracausi (1983, p. 115 note 186) and G. Rohlfs (1984)  Buscemi derives from the  prefix 'Abu Samah', that is the '[man]  full of moles'”(See S.C. Sgroi, “Interferenze fonologiche, morfo-sintattiche e lessicali fra l'arabo e il siciliano”, Centro di studi filologici e linguistici siciliani” , 1986, p. 134). What we do not know for sure is whether the term 'Qal'at' refers to the presence of a 'fortress' or to the nature of the place; in practice, we do not know if there was a fortress in Arab times; in fact, " About these towers that dominated the valley of the river Anapo we know nothing.

It is certain that Idrisi, citing the castle of Buscemi, use the technicism 'Qal'at' to mention the 'fortellicium' [small fortress] of Abu Samah; the technical term [Qal'at], as is known in Arabic sources, indicates a place fortified by nature and not necessarily a 'castrum' [Castle] "(See “III Congresso nazionale di archeologia medievale: Castello di Salerno, Complesso di Santa Sofia”, Salerno, 2-5 October 2003, All'insegna del giglio, 2003, Vol I, p. 496). Before the advent of the Arabs, we do not  know what was the name of Buscemi, maybe ‘Essina’ "(See I. Peri, “Uomini, città e campagne in Sicilia dall'XI al XIII secolo”, 1978, p. 48). G. di Marzo specified that  " Buscemi is mentioned in a diploma  of Alexander III (1100-1181), which describes the boundaries of the Diocese of Syracuse in 1108, and perhaps in another of Urban II [1040-1099] in 1093 under th corrupt name ‘Essina’ (...) or ‘Abisama’ "(See G. di Marzo, “Dizionario topografico della Sicilia”, 1855, Vol I, p. 170).

During Norman times Count Roger's (1031-1101) son Geoffrey was invested with the county of Buscemi and under the reign of Frederick II of Swabia (1094-1250) it was ruled by Matthew Calvello: “ Fridericus, Romanorum imperator, Mattheo de Calvello [militi de Panormo] fideli suo terram Buscemi concedit et confirmat in perpetuum.Fridericus, etc. Attendentes puram fidem et devotionem sinceram quam Mattheus de Calvello fidelis noster erga nos semper acceptis servitiis ex mandatis nostris dudum exhibuit et exhibet incessanter, de munificentie nostre gratia concedimus et confirmamus sibi et heredibus suis in perpetuum terram Buxemi, etc. Datum apud Cam[n]usium, [anno] MCCXXIX (1229)” "[Frederick, Emperor of the Romans, grants and confirms to Matthew Calvello," miles "of Palermo, his faithful, the city of Buscemi: “Having determined the accuracy with which Matthew Calvello has served the Crown, we grant and confirm to him and his heirs in perpetuity the city of Buscemi] (See “Friderici Secundi Historia diplomatica”, collegit ...  recensuit … disposuit et notis illustravit Jean-Louis Alphonse Huillard Bréholles , Parisiis, 1852, Vol III, pp. 156-157).

About Matthew Calvello, Huillard-Bréholles reminded that he had been invested with another feud by Rainald of Spoleto : “Rainaldus Dei et imperiali gratia dux Spoleti, etc, concedimus ei [scilicet Mattheo de Calvello civi Panormi] et heredibus suis in perpetuum feudum … in Goracio … et  pertinentiis suis... Datum apud Ripam Crefonis {legendum Transonis), ann. 4239, imperante  domino nostro Friderico. Fortasse mense martio” [We, Rinaldo, by the will of God and Emperor Duke of Spoleto, grant to Matthew Calvello and his heirs in perpetuity the feud sited in ‘Goracio’ and its appurtenances] (p. 157 note 1).

Matthew Calvello ruled until the Wars of the Vespers, a when the barony passed to the Ventimiglia family. In 1556 the county of Buscemi was granted to Giuseppe Requesens by decree of King Philip II, and then the town remained under the rule of the Requesens, who were also lords of Pantelleria. Buscemi was located on Mount St. Nicholas, 759 m, until 1693, but it was destroyed by a devastating earthquake. It was rebuilt further down, in a place adjacent to the old site; although no documents have emerged showing the design, the reconstruction of the new town was marked by a plant very smooth and by the Baroque style, as evidenced by the civil and religious buildings. Buscemi today, thanks to its territory, rich in archaeological remains  certainly is open to international tourism.