241 BC: During the First Punic War the Romans manage to conquer the western parts of Sicily. (The Punic Wars were conflicts between the Roman Empire and Carthage.) The eastern parts remained under Greek control untill 212 BC. Sicily became the first Roman province outside of the Italian peninsula; with its large grain fields Sicily was important for the food supply of the city of Rome
The two slave wars (136-132 BC and 104-101 BC) were the most important historical events in Sicily under Roman rule. Fighting for freedom the slaves managed to gain control over the island, but in the end Rome won back the territory and after the first rebellion 2000 slaves were crucified.