The battle ended a war between Syracuse and Acragas over the fate of the Sicel leader Ducetius, resolved by a peace treaty.
Key Facts
- Year
- 446 BC
- Belligerents
- Syracuse vs. Acragas
- Casus belli
- Return of Ducetius to colonize Cale Acte
- Ducetius exiled
- 450 BC by Syracuse
- Outcome
- Syracuse victory; peace treaty concluded
- River identity
- Uncertain — either the Grande or Salso river
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Acragas declared war on Syracuse after Ducetius, the Sicel leader whom Syracuse had exiled rather than executed in 450 BC, returned to Sicily and began colonizing Cale Acte. Acragas viewed Ducetius as a common enemy and blamed Syracuse for allowing his return by choosing exile over execution.
The battle was fought in 446 BC near one of the two Sicilian rivers both called Himera — either the Grande flowing north or the Salso flowing south. Syracuse and Acragas clashed in open battle, with Syracuse emerging as the victor.
Following its defeat, Acragas accepted terms and the conflict between the two city-states was settled through a peace treaty. The episode illustrates the political tensions that the survival and repatriation of Ducetius created among the major Sicilian Greek powers.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent