Sicily between eras: from the power of Sextus Pompey to the reorganization of Augustus

The subject of this research is the historical process of the transformation of Sicily at the end of the 1st century BC, covering the period of Sextus Pompey’s rule and the subsequent administrative reorganization carried out by Octavian Augustus. The article examines the consequences of the civil wars of the Roman Republic for the socio-economic situation of the island, including the destruction of cities, the decline of agriculture, and the demographic crisis. The measures taken by Octavian after the defeat of Sextus Pompey are analyzed, including the confiscation of property, the deportation of opponents, the establishment of Roman colonies, changes in the tax system, as well as social and administrative reforms. The study aims to identify the patterns of Sicily’s transition from a state of political and economic decline to integration into the administrative system of the Roman Empire, taking into account cultural and economic aspects. The methodological framework of the research includes the analysis of ancient written sources, archaeological data, a comparative analysis of literature, as well as historical-systems and structural-functional approaches to identify the patterns of Sicily's transitional period from republican to imperial governance. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the fact that for the first time in domestic historiography, a comprehensive analysis of the transitional period in the history of Sicily is conducted, when the rule of Sextus Pompey was replaced by the administrative reorganization carried out by Octavian Augustus. The interconnections between political instability, economic decline, and rehabilitative reforms are traced in detail, as well as the scale of the impact of these reforms on the socio-economic and cultural structure of the island is assessed. The work demonstrates that Augustus's punitive measures were combined with a colonization program, the introduction of fixed taxes, and infrastructure restoration, which allowed Sicily to recover and integrate into the administrative system of the Roman Empire. Special attention is given to the combination of repressive and constructive measures in stabilizing the region, ensuring its long-term sustainability, and forming a new social base.

Sicily, Sextus Pompey, Octavian Augustus, reforms, Roman Republic, civil wars, colonization, taxation system, archaeology, administrative reorganization