Camarina
The following is an excerpt from: Cults, Myths and Legends of Ancient Sicily (Author: Ignazio Caloggero – ISBN: 9788894321913)
Camarina was the nymph linked to the swamp that surrounded, starting from the east, the ancient city of Camarina, founded in Syracuse in 589 BC. After a series of explorations by Paolo Orsi, excavations resumed in 1958 and brought to light numerous remains of the ancient city.
The cult of the nymph Camarina is attested by the discovery of some coins in which she is represented [1] . One of the coins depicts a nymph riding a swan sailing on the marsh and has been attributed to the nymph Camarina. In the past, there had also been talk of the discovery of a sanctuary dedicated to her, but at present such a discovery is only hypothetical.
Concerning what was called “ Lacus Camarinensis ”, also mentioned by Virgil [2] , it is said that, during a period of great drought, the plague struck the city. The inhabitants, believing that it was the swamp that was causing the calamity, consulted the oracle of Apollo asking if the solution was to drain it. The oracle answered no, but regardless of the answer, the inhabitants carried out the draining work anyway. Indeed, the plague ended but, shortly after, the invasion of the enemy, facilitated by the absence of the ancient natural barrier, made the inhabitants bitterly regret not having accepted the oracle's advice. Probably the nymph had not appreciated that the swamp dedicated to her had been drained.
[1] Ciaceri Emanuele: Cults and Myths of Ancient Sicily p.249
[2] Aeneid book III.
Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero
Photo: web
Informational contributions : Ignazio Caloggero, Sicily Region