Who owned Sicily during Roman times?
Sicily was a province of the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire. It was first annexed by the Romans in 241 BCE after the First Punic War, and remained under Roman control for over 700 years. During this time, Sicily was a vital part of the Roman Empire, serving as a major source of wheat and other agricultural products, as well as a strategic military base. The island also played an important role in Roman culture and society, and was home to a number of notable Roman figures, including the orator Cicero and the poet Virgil.