[Teaser] Punic Sicilian Wars Part II

We're releasing the second part of the Punic Sicilian Wars this weekend, so here's a snippet of the script (which is still a WIP). Enjoy!

Intro

As Carthage sought to flex its military might overseas, King Hamilcar, leader of the powerful Magonid clan, was keen to gain a foothold on the strategic island of Sicily. Thus it was that in 480 BC he launched a grand campaign to assist local Greek allies against the reigning powers of Akragas and Syracuse. This First Punic-Sicilian War would climax at the Battle of Himera, which saw a fatal series of disasters lead to the ultimate defeat of the Carthaginians. For 70 years, their armies would not set foot on the island. However, the ascension of Hannibal, grandson of the slain Hamilcar, would see decades of pent up resentment unleashed upon the island. He would ensure that the black stain of Himera would be washed clean with waves of bloodshed. This would be his finest hour.

Interbellum

Following the expulsion of Carthage’s military invasion, the victorious tyrants Theron and Gelon were able to consolidate their power on the island and even boost their geopolitical stature across the Hellenic world. Yet as would occur in mainland Greece, the defeat of a unifying external threat quickly resulted in a return to traditional quarrels. In the same way that Athens and Sparta would soon turn on one another, this shift was also made apparent in Sicily when the new rulers of Akragas and Syracuse came to blows. In both cases, this fracturing of Greek unity would grant reprieve to their enemies.

Carthage for instance was able to use this interbellum period to rise to new heights. They ramped up their mercantile activities across the Mediterranean and ushered in a grand age of exploration. For instance, two famous Punic navigators would sail exploratory fleets beyond the pillars of Hercules with Himilco heading north along the European coast in search of the Isles of Tin and Hanno heading south along the African coast in search of new colony sites and perhaps even a circumnavigation of the continent. Stories of their exploits would be widely circulated and exotic trophies such as gorilla skins would reportedly be displayed in the city of Carthage itself, inspiring the next generation of ambitious children. One of these would be Hannibal, grandson of the defeated Hamilcar, who will play a key part in our story.

Around this same time we hear of how the city further expanded across the lands of North Africa, bringing more Phoenecian colonies and neighbors into the fold while striking out with distant expeditions to establish relations with the Garamantes and the Cyrenaecans across the desert. Closer to home it seems that political changes even saw the monarchy give way to a Republican form of government with new institutions such as the suffeture, the popular assembly, and the tribunal of 104 that would be praised by philosophers such as Aristotle. Amidst this newfound stability and prosperity, the Punic leaders would not lose sight of their dreams of controlling the central Mediterranean. Thus we see them increasingly invest in the projection of soft power through trade, treaties, and the construction of new fortifications across areas such as Sardinia and Western Sicily. Yet for now they would bide their time and avoid outright conflict with the Greek world. For example when the Peloponnesian war would spill over into Sicily they carefully avoided becoming sucked into the chaos despite being reportedly asked to intercede. Best to let the Greeks bloody themselves while waiting patiently on the side lines.

The Sicilian Expedition

Although Carthage would remain out of the picture for another half-decade, it will still be relevant for us to give some context for the war that was about to erupt in Sicily. This would be but one chapter in the larger narrative of the Peloponnesian War which had seen Athens and Sparta war with their allies for hegemony of the Greek World. Starting in 431 BC and lasting over 20 years the two sides would bloody one another in a war of escalating bloodshed. Recently Sparta had gained the edge over an increasingly desperate Athens that now looked to even the odds. Thus when the opportunity arose to side with the city of Segesta in a local conflict against Selinius, the Athenians pounced at the invitation to collect the funds and manpower which had been promised to them.

In 415 BC they set off with a fleet of over 100 ships for the Great Sicilian Expedition. To their dismay, it was soon discovered that Segesta was in no position to pay up for the assistance. But with such a force already marshaled, the invaders were not keen to turn home empty handed. Instead they sought to make war upon Syracuse. Victory would serve not only to cripple a potential Spartan ally but could also bring with it far more wealth and manpower than might ever have been offered by the minor settlements of Sicily.

This campaign began with initial success. In the first year the Athenians made headway along eastern Sicily. When Syracuse attempted to march north against them, the invaders managed to sail behind them to establish a fortified beachhead in the Great Harbor. A pitched battle ensued which saw the Athenian veterans prevail over the Syracusans, pushing them back behind the walls. Through the entirety of 414 BC, the Athenians engaged the Syracusans in a grinding siege that saw an impressive series of walls and counters-walls constructed across the rugged outskirts of the city.

As would occur many times in this period, as soon as there was blood in the water, other sharks would come out to feed. Sensing an opportunity, Sparta and Corinth now came to the aide of Syracuse with a relief force. This, in addition to ongoing attrition and disease, did much to turn the tide against the Athenians. But just as the invaders began to consider a withdrawal, the Syracusans launched a vicious naval attack which dealt heavy casualties and crippled their fleet. Fighting continued for several days. Ultimately the Athenian commanders sought to salvage the situation by making a land retreat. The force would be devastated in the attempt with all survivors either being executed or worked to death in the stone quarries as retribution.

For the Syracusans, it was a glorious victory. Yet as was always the case in Sicily, there was little time to celebrate before the outbreak of the next conflict.