Carthage's failed siege of Syracuse in 397–396 BC, devastated by plague, halted Punic expansion in Sicily for years.
Key Facts
- Siege began
- Autumn 397 BC
- Plague struck Carthaginian camp
- Summer 396 BC
- Carthaginian commander
- Himilco of the Magonid family
- Preceding Carthaginian action
- Sack of Messana before siege
- Outcome for Libyan survivors
- Enslaved by Dionysius
- Carthage resumed aggression
- Not until 393 BC
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Dionysius of Syracuse attacked and took the Carthaginian stronghold of Motya, prompting Himilco to lead a large Carthaginian force to Sicily in retaliation. After retaking Motya, founding Lilybaeum, and sacking Messana, Himilco crushed the Greek fleet at Catana, clearing the way for a direct assault on Syracuse.
Beginning in autumn 397 BC, Himilco besieged Syracuse using the same isolation strategy the Athenians had employed in 415 BC. The siege continued into 396 BC, when a severe pestilence broke out in the Carthaginian camp, killing most of the troops. Dionysius then launched a combined land and sea counterattack, forcing the Carthaginians into collapse.
Himilco negotiated a secret deal with Dionysius and escaped with Carthaginian citizens, abandoning his allied troops. Libyan survivors were enslaved, Sicels dispersed, and Iberians joined Dionysius. Weakened by plague, Carthage took no further action against Syracuse until 393 BC, allowing Dionysius to expand his domain unchecked.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Dionysius of Syracuse.
Side B
1 belligerent
Himilco (Magonid).