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The '''Battle of Messana''' in 265-264 BC was the first military clash between the [[Roman Republic]] and [[Carthage (state)|Carthage]]. It marked the start of the [[First Punic War]], and a series of wars that lasted for over a century. In that period, and after the recent successes in southern Italy, [[Sicily]] became of increasing importance to Rome. Three powers dominated that island. Carthage held the west coast. In the south east was the city of [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]], ruled by [[Hiero II of Syracuse|Heiro II]]. The [[Mamertines]], mercenaries who had originally been brought to Sicily by [[Agathocles]] of Syracuse, ruled in the north east the city of [[Messana]]. After the latter's death in 289 BC, they had seized the city, retaining control of it for the next twenty five years.<ref name=HW>[http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/siege_messana_264BC.html Siege of Messana, 264 B.C.] Rickard, J (10 May 2007), Siege of Messana, 264 B.C. Retrieved on 14 December 2008.</ref>
The '''Battle of Messana''' in 265-264 BC was the first military clash between the [[Roman Republic]] and [[Carthage (state)|Carthage]]. It marked the start of the [[First Punic War]]. In that period, and after the recent successes in southern Italy, [[Sicily]] became of increasing importance to Rome.


==Background==
==Background==
The conflict that led to war was triggered by Heiro II, who decided to recapture Messana. In the period between 270 and 265 BC, he inflicted a major defeat on the Mamertines, and came close to capturing the city. In response they invited in a Carthaginian garrison, who succeeded in fending off Heiro. The Mamertines had defeated one threat to their power, but realised that they had exposed themselves to an equal threat of Carthaginian domination. A major faction among the Marmertines called on Rome, asking for an alliance.<ref name=HW/> The Greek historian [[Polybius]] states in Book One of ''[[The Histories (Polybius)|The Histories]]'': "Even after long consideration, the [[Roman Senate|Senate]] (Roman) did not approve the proposal to send help to Messana; they took the view that any advantage which would result from relieving the place would be counterbalanced by the inconsistency of such an action. However, the people who had suffered grievously from the wars that had just ended and were in dire need of rehabilitation of every kind, were inclined to listen to the consuls. These men, besides stressing the national advantages I have already mentioned which Rome could secure if she intervened, also dwelt on the great gains which would clearly accrue to every individual citizen from the spoils of war, and so a resolution for sending help was carried. When his decree had been passed by the people, one of the [[Roman consul|consuls]], [[Appius Claudius Caudex|Appius Claudius]], was appointed to command an expedition, and was given orders to cross to Messana."<ref name=CCA>[http://www.ccancients.net/Maps/First-Punic-War-264-241-BC/jb13-messana-i-264bc.html Historical Background] Messana I - 264 BC Romans vs Syracusans. Retrieved on 14 December 2008.</ref> After this, the Mamertines forced the Punic garrison out of Messana and invited the Roman force into the city. The Carthaginians crucified the garrison commander, [[Hanno, Messana garrison commander|Hanno]] (not the son of [[Hannibal]]), on his return to Carthage for what was regarded as his cowardice and lack of judgement in leaving Messana.<ref>Polybius, [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Polybius/1*.html#11 1:11.4-5]</ref>
The Greek historian [[Polybius]] states in Book One of ''[[The Histories (Polybius)|The Histories]]'': "Even after long consideration, the (Roman) [[Roman Senate|Senate]] did not approve the proposal to send help to Messana; they took the view that any advantage which would result from relieving the place would be counterbalanced by the inconsistency of such an action. However, the people who had suffered grievously from the wars that had just ended and were in dire need of rehabilitation of every kind, were inclined to listen to the consuls. These men, besides stressing the national advantages I have already mentioned which Rome could secure if she intervened, also dwelt on the great gains which would clearly accrue to every individual citizen from the spoils of war, and so a resolution for sending help was carried. When his decree had been passed by the people, one of the [[Roman consul|consuls]], [[Appius Claudius Caudex|Appius Claudius]], was appointed to command an expedition, and was given orders to cross to Messana."<ref name=CCA>[http://www.ccancients.net/Maps/First-Punic-War-264-241-BC/jb13-messana-i-264bc.html Historical Background] Messana I - 264 BC Romans vs Syracusans. Retrieved on 14 December 2008.</ref> After this, the Mamertines forced the Punic garrison out of Messana and invited the Roman force into the city. The Carthaginians crucified the garrison commander, [[Hanno, Messana garrison commander|Hanno]] (not the son of [[Hannibal]]), on his return to Carthage for what was regarded as his cowardice and lack of judgement in leaving Messana.<ref>Polybius, [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Polybius/1*.html#11 1:11.4-5]</ref>


==Battle of Messana==
==Battle of Messana==
[[File:Route Punic army messana.svg|400px|thumb|Route taken by [[Carthage|Punic]] army in order to reach [[Messana]].]]
[[File:Route Punic army messana.svg|400px|thumb|Route taken by [[Carthage|Punic]] army in order to reach [[Messana]].]]
Both Rome and Carthage sent major armies to Sicily. The [[Punic]] army arrived first, landing at [[Marsala|Lilybaeum]], in the west of Sicily.<ref>Diodorus Siculus, Biblioteca Historica, [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Diodorus_Siculus/23*.html#1 23.1.2]</ref> From there it marched along the south coast, making an alliance with [[Agrigento|Agrigentum]] and Hiero II of Syracuse. They then marched north and laid siege to Messana. At the head of a standard Consular army of two [[Roman legion|legions]], Appius Claudius arrived opposite Messana. Although Rome did not yet possess a fleet of its own, several of its allies did. Using their ships, Claudius was able to ferry his army across the [[Strait of Messina|Strait of Messana]] and into the city. The Carthaginians did not oppose this move, thus suggesting that Carthage was still hoping to avoid open war with Rome. A short period of negotiations followed, with Claudius appearing to have concentrated on persuading Heiro to withdraw, but without much enthusiasm and trust between the two sides.<ref name=HW/>
The [[Punic]] army arrived first, landing at [[Marsala|Lilybaeum]], in the west of Sicily.<ref>Diodorus Siculus, Biblioteca Historica, [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Diodorus_Siculus/23*.html#1 23.1.2]</ref>

The Punic army camped outside Messana, allowing Claudius to defeat them in turn. After the negotiations were over, Claudius decided to attack Heiro first. The Roman cavalry was defeated, but their heavy infantry prevailed. Syracusan [[cavalry]], on the other hand, had been famous since the 5th century, but probably neither their [[hoplite]] infantry nor their [[Mercenary|mercenaries]] were a match for the legionaries, unless exceptionally well led.<ref name=CCA/> The attack itself was not a great success, and the Legions were not able to break into the Syracusan camp. However their attack discouraged Hiero, and he withdrew back to Syracuse. Claudius then turned against the Punic camp, which once again resulted in an inconclusive fight. It became clear to Hanno that without Heiro he was no longer strong enough to besiege Messana, and thus he withdrew from the city and ended the siege.<ref name=HW/>

==Aftermath==
Claudius was unable to accomplish a victory, however he did march south, capturing the Carthaginian fort at [[Echetla]], west of Syracuse, and briefly threatening Syracuse itself. This was due to the small army he possessed, who was not large enough to storm that city, and the absence of a fleet in order to impose a siege. With the end of his term of office as Consul, Appius Claudius withdrew from Sicily, leaving a strong garrison in Messana. His expedition to Sicily was a partial success. Rome’s new allies at Messana had been saved from Punic domination, but he had failed in imposing peace. The result of the battle was a war that lasted for over 20 years.<ref name=HW/>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 22:17, 16 August 2011

Battle of Messana
Part of the First Punic War
Date265 BC - 264 BC
Location
Messana (modern Messina)
Result Roman victory
Belligerents
Roman Republic Carthage
Syracuse
Commanders and leaders
Appius Claudius Caudex
Manius Valerius Maximus Corvinus Messalla
Manius Otacilius Crassus		 Hanno
Hiero II
Strength
9,000 soldiers 12,000 Syracusan and Carthaginian cavalry, hoplites and mercenaries
Casualties and losses
1,340 casualties 6,000 casualties

The Battle of Messana in 265-264 BC was the first military clash between the Roman Republic and Carthage. It marked the start of the First Punic War. In that period, and after the recent successes in southern Italy, Sicily became of increasing importance to Rome.

Background

The Greek historian Polybius states in Book One of The Histories: "Even after long consideration, the (Roman) Senate did not approve the proposal to send help to Messana; they took the view that any advantage which would result from relieving the place would be counterbalanced by the inconsistency of such an action. However, the people who had suffered grievously from the wars that had just ended and were in dire need of rehabilitation of every kind, were inclined to listen to the consuls. These men, besides stressing the national advantages I have already mentioned which Rome could secure if she intervened, also dwelt on the great gains which would clearly accrue to every individual citizen from the spoils of war, and so a resolution for sending help was carried. When his decree had been passed by the people, one of the consuls, Appius Claudius, was appointed to command an expedition, and was given orders to cross to Messana."[1] After this, the Mamertines forced the Punic garrison out of Messana and invited the Roman force into the city. The Carthaginians crucified the garrison commander, Hanno (not the son of Hannibal), on his return to Carthage for what was regarded as his cowardice and lack of judgement in leaving Messana.[2]

Battle of Messana

Route taken by Punic army in order to reach Messana.

The Punic army arrived first, landing at Lilybaeum, in the west of Sicily.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ Historical Background Messana I - 264 BC Romans vs Syracusans. Retrieved on 14 December 2008.
  2. ^ Polybius, 1:11.4-5
  3. ^ Diodorus Siculus, Biblioteca Historica, 23.1.2

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