I monumenti del Re. Alcune riflessioni sulla Baupolitik di Ierone II

The definition of “Hieronian
architecture” has taken on various meanings over time, more inclusive or more restrictive,
but in a recently published volume it has been declassified to a mere modern Forschungskonstrukt.
This new and original point of view requires some brief reflections on the theme, which are
developed in this contribution starting from a review of the decorated architectural elements of
the buildings of Syracuse and of the satellite cities of the kingdom, which can most likely be dated
to the Hieronian age. The morphological and stylistic homogeneity of these elements directs the
discussion towards the themes of the workers and the patronage of the buildings, reconfirming the
idea of a real Hieronian building program, and therefore suggesting the need to consider “Hieronian
architecture” as a phenomenon with precise historical and political coordinates.