in Ancient Geography, the first town of Sicily on crossing over from Italy, situated on the strait now called the Foro, (Italics.) Anciently called Zancle, according to Diodorus Siculus, from King Zanelus; or, according to others, from the Sicilian term Zanclon, denoting a fickle, alluding to the curiosity of the coast; a name appropriated by the poets; and hence Zanclai, the people, (Herodotus, Pausanias). MES

The other name Messana is from the Messenii of Peloponnesus, (Strabo.) Thucydides ascribes its origin to Anaxilas the Messenian, tyrant of Rhegium, who received all comers, calling the town after the name of his country. The Greeks always call it Messene; the Romans Messena constantly, to distinguish it from Messine of Peloponnesus. Now Messina, lately ruined by earthquakes.