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The 'Sicani' (Greek ''Sikanoi'') or 'Sicanians' were an ancient people of Italy and Sicily. Thucydides (6.2) writes that, after the Cyclopes and Laestrygones, the Sicani were the next to settle in Italy. They had earlier dwelt in Iberia near the river Sicanus but were driven thence by the Ligurians. However, since Thucydides extends Iberia as far east as the Rhône, Sicanus may in fact have been a river in Gaul (some propose that Sicanus corresponds to the river Sequana, the modern Seine).
The Sicani are purported to have settled in Latium along the river Tiber, but were again driven from there by aboriginal groups, and headed to the south of Italy. They remained there for a time, living alongside Oenotrians, but it appears that most of the Sicani later crossed into Sicily (then known as Trinacria). They are said to have occupied the greater portion of Trinacria in ancient times, so that Trinacria became known as Sicania.
Later, the Elymi, perhaps colonists from Anatolia, settled next to the Sicani in northwestern Sicily. With the arrival of the Sicels, the Sicani would chiefly inhabit northwestern Sicily, which would become known as Sicania, while the rest of the island became known as Sicily. The more important Sicanian towns were Herbita, Camicus, Agyrium, Adranum, Enna, and Omphaces.
''See also: Sicels. Elymians.''