Mamertiner
The Mamertines ( Latin Mamertini ) were mercenaries from Campania who had been recruited by the tyrant Agathocles of Syracuse . They named themselves after their god of war, who was called Mamers in Oskish (and Mars in Latin ).
After Agathocles' death in 289 BC They left Syracuse and took control in 288 BC. In the city of Messana (now Messina) further north, killed all the men and divided the women, children and the property of the victims among themselves. From Messana, they plundered the country and eventually even became a problem for the city of Syracuse.
Hieron II of Syracuse , who died in 269 BC. BC ascended the throne, took effective measures against the Mamertines and besieged 265 BC. Chr. Messana. The Mamertines then allied themselves with a nearby Carthaginian fleet and together they fought off the siege of Syracuse. Only in a field battle near Mylae (not to be confused with the sea battle of Mylae between Rome and Carthage ten years later) were they defeated by Hieron, who in turn was only prevented from the subsequent occupation of Messana by Carthage's objection .
But when the Carthaginians did not leave the city after this success, the Mamertines turned in 264 BC. At Rome. When discussing the request, some Roman senators were unwilling to help, after all the strength of Carthage was known, but the consul Appius Claudius Caudex convinced the citizens, especially the wealthy plebeians , to give their support - a better reason against Carthage going to war would not be an option again anytime soon.
In the meantime the Carthaginians had persuaded the Mamertines to withdraw their request for help, which Appius Claudius ignored. He led his army to Messana, invited the Carthaginian commander to an interview, arrested him, and threatened the Carthaginians with his murder if resistance was offered. The Carthaginians withdrew and the city was handed over to Appius Claudius and thus to the Romans.
Through the politics of the Mamertines, both Rome and Carthage were now militarily present in Sicily - a situation that soon led to the outbreak of the First Punic War .
Web links
- Jona Lendering: Mamertines . In: Livius.org (English)