Key Facts
- Duration
- 311–309 BC (siege); blockade broken 307 BC
- Carthaginian commander
- Hamilcar, son of Gisco
- Syracusan commander
- Agathocles, tyrant of Syracuse
- Night assault outcome
- Hamilcar captured and killed, 309 BC
- Naval blockade broken
- 307 BC by Agathocles
Strategic Narrative Overview
Rather than defend passively, Agathocles launched a daring invasion of Libya to threaten Carthage directly, forcing Hamilcar to detach troops homeward and weakening the siege. A Carthaginian assault on Syracuse's walls in 310 BC failed. In 309 BC, Hamilcar attempted a night attack for surprise, but his forces advanced in disorder and were routed by a Syracusan counterattack. Despite superior numbers, the darkness and terrain turned the assault into a rout.
01 / The Origins
Following the Carthaginian victory at the Battle of the Himera River in 311 BC, the Carthaginian general Hamilcar, son of Gisco, defeated Agathocles, tyrant of Syracuse, forcing him to retreat within his city. The other Greek cities of Sicily defected to the Carthaginian side, leaving Syracuse isolated. Hamilcar moved to exploit this advantage by besieging Syracuse and imposing a naval blockade on its harbour, aiming to extinguish the last major Greek power on the island.
03 / The Outcome
Hamilcar was captured during the failed night assault of 309 BC and executed by the Syracusans. His death severely damaged Carthaginian morale and operational command at Syracuse. The naval blockade persisted for a time but was ultimately broken in 307 BC when Agathocles returned to Sicily. Syracuse survived as an independent Greek stronghold, and Carthaginian ambitions to control all of Sicily were checked for another generation.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Hamilcar (son of Gisco).
Side B
1 belligerent
Agathocles.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.