[SunkenCiv]

That's where the Syracusans confined the Athenian captives from their defeat during the Pelopponesian War.

[moovova]

I think I read someplace the cave was also a rope-making shop at one time.

Funny story.... When we visited the "Ear", we parked the rental car in a large public parking lot nearby and walked out of the lot. Across the street, there was an old guy with the typical, maxed out horse cart. I had my camera and swung it up for a photo. He was quick to pop open a large umbrella and covered the animal's head & shoulders. I got the message real fast...no money, no photo. We just passed him by.