264 – 263 BC
The Carthaginians withdraw
The Romans then turn on the Carthaginians north of the city. The light infantry skirmish and soon fall back, the infantry meet in the centre and the cavalry fight on the flanks. The Romans gain the upper hand and the Carthaginians retreat to the towns nearby. The sources leave it unclear why both besieging armies give up so quickly.
Cape Pelorus, the north-eastern tip of Sicily, and the narrowest part of the strait, seen from the International Space StationWikimedia Commons, NASA, Public domain (Strait of Messina - NASA.jpg)
The Romans march south and besiege Syracuse, but without enough troops or secure supplies they soon withdraw. In 263 BC both consuls cross to Sicily with 40,000 men. Hiero makes peace, pays 100 talents of silver and becomes an ally of Rome, supplying the Roman army on the island.
Sources
- Polybius, Histories, book 1, 12 and 16.
- John Lazenby, The First Punic War (1996).
- Adrian Goldsworthy, The Fall of Carthage (2006).
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