ðə faʊndˈeɪʃən ʌvðə sˈɪɾi ɪn ɐn ˈɛɹiə pɹˈiːviəsli ɪnhˈæbɪɾᵻd baɪ ðə sɪkˈɑːni ænd ɪnvˈeɪdᵻd baɪ ðə sˈɪsəlz ɪnðə θˈɜːtiːnθ twˈɛlfθ sˈɛntʃɚɹiz bˌiːsˈiː, ɪz pɚhˈæps kənˈɛktᵻd tə ðə sˈɪɾi ʌv hˈɪblə mˈeɪdʒɚ.
The foundation of the city in an area previously inhabited by the Sicani and invaded by the Sicels in the 13th-12th centuries BC, is perhaps connected to the city of Hybla Major.