Hazard Perception
Easy links between all parts of the Mediterranean Sea, where most of the trade transport was via sea, in conjuction with the fertile volcanic soils and plesant climate has encouraged the colonisation of a potentially hazardous region. From the Greeks and the Romans (see buildings in photograph) to the Arabs, Normans, French and Spanish.
The perception of the risk of the volcanic hazard, by the Greeks who first settled the eastern coast of Sicily nearly 3000 years B.P. (before present) followed swiftly by the Romans, would have been that a volcanic event was 'an act of the gods'. Indeed the Roman God of Fire is Volcanus (Volcan).
Unaware of the true cause of volcanic activity and an acceptance of the risk (due to the gods) encouraged the continued settlement of this hazardous environment. Also the risk of the hazard was, and still remains, out-weighed by the benefits of living on this strategically positioned island.
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