1. The Rise of the Sons of Mars.
- Author
-
B. Anderson, Erich
- Subjects
- *
STRAITS , *CARTHAGINIANS , *MERCENARY troops , *PUNIC War, 1st, 264 B.C.-241 B.C. , *HISTORY , *MILITARY history ,ROMAN military history - Abstract
The article discusses the struggle for control of the Straits of Messana between the Carthaginian and Roman empires. It describes the military actions of city-state Syracuse ruler Hiero II in capturing the Sicilian city Messana, the influx of Campanian mercenaries, and the group of Mammertines known as the Sons of Mars. It discusses the strategic importance of Syracuse to the Carthaginians, and the causes of the First Punic War.
- Published
- 2015