Gela, an ancient city of southern Sicily, on a river of the same name (now Fiume di Terra-nova), founded about 690 B. C. by a colony of Rhodians from Lindus and Cretans. It soon became flourishing, and was the parent of Agri-gentum (now Girgenti), which afterward surpassed the mother city. The constitution of Gela was originally oligarchical, but was overthrown in 505 B. C. by Cleander, who was the first of its tyrants. His brother Hippocrates succeeded him, and extended its influence and power over the greater part of Sicily. His successor Gelon's transfer of the seat of his power and of a part of the inhabitants of Gela to Syracuse (485), his brother Hiero being made governor of the former, caused its decay; and its desolation was completed about 280 by Phin-tias, tyrant of Agrigentum, who removed its inhabitants to a new town, to which he gave his name. In the time of Augustus it was already in ruins, which are still visible in the vicinity of Terranova.