Timoleon's surprise victory over Carthage at the Crimissus in 339 BC secured Greek control of Sicily and brought a period of stability to the island's city-states.
Key Facts
- Date
- 339 BC
- Location
- Crimissus river, western Sicily
- Syracusan commander
- Timoleon
- Carthaginian commanders
- Asdrubal and Hamilcar
- Outcome
- Decisive Syracusan victory; Carthage sued for peace
- Subsequent stability ended
- After Agathocles seized power in 317 BC
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Carthage had attempted to block Timoleon's arrival in Sicily, where Syracuse had invited him to overthrow Greek tyrants and restore democracy. After he liberated Syracuse, his mercenaries raided Carthaginian territory in western Sicily, prompting Carthage to assemble a large army and march toward Syracuse.
Timoleon launched a surprise attack on the Carthaginian army while it was crossing the Crimissus river in western Sicily. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Syracusans broke the Carthaginian front rank, and a storm that arose during the battle further disrupted the enemy. The entire Carthaginian force was routed, with many soldiers killed or captured, including a large number of Carthage's wealthiest citizens.
After a second, smaller Carthaginian force was also defeated, Carthage agreed to peace terms, allowing the Greek cities of Sicily to recover and enjoy a period of stability. This peace held until after Timoleon's death, when renewed conflict followed Agathocles's seizure of power in Syracuse in 317 BC.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Timoleon.
Side B
1 belligerent
Asdrubal, Hamilcar.