The Carthaginian defeat at Abacaenum halted Mago's advance on Messana and forced Carthaginian forces to retreat to western Sicily.
Key Facts
- Date
- 393 BC
- Location
- Near Abacaenum, north-eastern Sicily
- Carthaginian commander
- Mago
- Siceliot commander
- Dionysius of Syracuse
- Outcome
- Greek (Siceliot) victory; Carthaginians retreated west
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Dionysius, tyrant of Syracuse, had been steadily expanding his power over Sicel territories in Sicily. After failing to capture the Carthaginian-allied city of Tauromenium in 394 BC, tension escalated. In response, the Carthaginian general Mago decided to press an offensive and marched his army toward the strategically important city of Messana.
The Carthaginian army under Mago encountered the Siceliot Greek forces under Dionysius near the Sicilian town of Abacaenum in 393 BC. The battle resulted in a clear defeat for the Carthaginians, who were driven back from their advance and compelled to abandon their offensive operations in north-eastern Sicily.
Following their defeat, the Carthaginian forces withdrew to their established territories in western Sicily. Dionysius, rather than pursuing the retreating enemy, chose not to press an attack on Carthaginian-held lands and instead continued consolidating and extending his influence across eastern Sicily.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Dionysius of Syracuse.
Side B
1 belligerent
Mago.