SICILY MYTH AND HISTORY

Sicilian history has always been steeped in mystery and magic. The island was said to be inhabited by giants such as Polyphemus and Orion, and guarded by frightening monsters, most notably Scylla and Charybdis. Sicily was contended between Greeks and Phoenicians, plundered by Barbary pirates, and oppressed by imperialist powers. Sicilian people rose up against their tyrants and founded one of the most elusive and powerful secret societies the world has ever known, namely the Mafia. Sicily was also the birthplace of great geniuses - from Archimedes to Cagliostro - and was chosen by Aleister Crowley as an ideal location for his Abbey of Thelema.