Battle of Messene The Battle of Messene took place in 397 BC in Sicily . Carthage , in retaliation for the attack on Motya by Dionysius , had sent an army under Himilco , to Sicily to regain lost territory . Himilco sailed to Panormus , and from there again sailed and marched along the northern coast of Sicily to Cape Pelorum , 12 miles north of Messene . While the Messenian army marched out to offer battle , Himilco sent 200 ships filled with soldiers to the city itself , which was stormed and the citizens were forced to disperse to forts in the countryside . Himilco later sacked and leveled the city , which was again rebuilt after the war . Background . Carthage had stayed away from Sicilian affairs for seventy years after the defeat at Himera in 480 BC . However , Carthage , responding to the appeal for aid from Segesta against Selinus , had sent an expedition to Sicily under Hannibal Mago , and sacked Selinus and Himera in 409 BC . Responding to Greek raids on her Sicilian domain , Carthage launched another expedition that captured Akragas in 406 BC and Gela and Camarina in 405 BC . The conflict ended in 405 BC when Himilco and Dionysius , leader of the Carthaginian forces and tyrant of Syracuse respectively , concluded a peace treaty . The treaty left Carthage in direct or indirect control of 60 % of Sicily , but confirmed Dionysius as the ruler of Syracuse . Dionysius spent the years between 405 and 398 BC fortifying Syracuse , securing his power , enlarging his army and navy , and expanding the territory under his control . He also put down rebellions against his rule and hired workmen to create new weapons such as the catapult and new ships such as the Quinquereme . The tyrant tackles Carthage . In 398 BC , Dionysius sent an embassy to Carthage threatening to declare war unless they agreed to give up all Greek cities under their control . Before the embassy returned from Carthage , Dionysius let loose his mercenaries on Carthaginians living on Syracusan lands , putting them to the sword and plundering their property . He then set out for Motya with his army , accompanied by 200 warships and 500 transports carrying his supplies and war machines . Before he reached Motya , all the Greek cities and even some Sikan and Sicel ones had declared for him , killing Carthaginians and sending soldiers to join Dionysius , leaving only Panormus , Solus , Ancyrae , Segesta and Entella loyal to Carthage in Sicily . The army of Dionysius had swelled to 83 , 000 soldiers by the time it reached Motya . Dionysius captured Eryx , put Segesta and Entella under siege , then set about reducing Motya . Motya falls . Motya was a strongly fortified city on an island in the middle of a lagoon . The citizens prepared to resist after cutting up the mole connecting the city to the mainland . Dionysius had to repair the mole , then use siege towers to get his battering rams close to the walls , breach the walls , and then send his soldiers to attack the town . While his army was occupied with these activities , Himilco sailed from Carthage to Motya and managed to surprise the Greek navy , most of which was beached on the shore . Himilco destroyed a large number of the transports and trapped the Greek warships on the northern part of the lagoon . Dionysius responded by building a wooden plank road on the isthmus north of Motya and dragging his triremes to the open sea . Outsmarted , Himilco withdrew his fleet . Dionysius then commenced his assault on Motya , which fell despite stubborn resistance . Dionysius sacked the city , garrisoned the ruins and , keeping Segesta and Entella under siege , returned to Syracuse with most of his fleet and army for the winter . His brother Leptines of Syracuse kept 120 ships at Eryx , including at least thirty quinqueremes . Carthage counters . Little is known of the activities of Carthage between 405 and 397 BC , during which time Dionysius had muscled his way through Sicily and had already broken an existing treaty by making war on the Sicels . Carthage may have been weakened by the brought over from Sicily in 405 . When Motya was put under siege and most cities in Sicily broke free of Carthaginian control , Carthage sent the aforementioned naval force under Himilco , which achieved nothing . Carthage did not have a standing army , so nothing else could be done before enough mercenaries had been hired and marshalled . Carthage had begun to recruit an army and man a fleet to send to Sicily . The final army may have included 50 , 000 infantry , 4 , 000 cavalry , 400 chariots , while the fleet included 400 Triremes and 600 transports . Himilco , now elected “ king ” , sailed for Sicily in 397 BC with the army and fleet . He had given sealed orders to the ship captains , so that the actual destination was not revealed . The Punic fleet made for Panormus , and encountered the fleet of Leptines " en route " , which could do little except sink fifty transports , containing 5 , 000 men and 200 chariots , while an opportune wind helped the other transports to escape . From Panormus , where 30 , 000 Sicilians joined his army , Himilco marched to Motya , capturing the city of Eryx through treachery on the way . Motya housed a mostly Sicel garrison under an officer named Biton , which was overcome easily . Himilco did not start rebuilding Motya , instead he chose to build a city at Lilybaeum . His next task was to raise the siege of Segesta , where the Greeks fled at the approach of the Carthaginians . Path to Messene . While Himilco was busy dealing with Motya , Dionysius lifted the siege of Segesta and Entella and moved back to Syracuse . The Segestans had given the Greeks a hard time during the siege , managing to sally out at night and burn down the Greek camp . Dionysius probably chose not to confront the Carthaginians in Western Sicily because he was facing a superior army in Elymian territory ( where only 2 cities had supported him , out of which Eryx had fallen , and the Halicyans , who had made an alliance with Dionysius after the fall of Motya , was about to switch sides again ) . Messene , then known as Zankle , was one of the Greek cities which had treaties with Carthage in 480 BC . Carthage and Syracuse had both pledged to honor the independence of Messene and Sicels in the treaty of 405 . As Dionysius had broken the treaty in 404 and furthermore Messene had joined Syracuse , Carthage was no longer bound by the treaty . The previous campaign led by Himilco in 406 had progressed eastward along the southern coast of Sicily toward Syracuse . Moreover , the cities subdued by Carthage in that expedition , Akragas , Gela and Camarina lay along this route , the capture of which would yield much booty and subtract allies from Syracuse . Himilco chose not to go this way , perhaps preferring to attack Syracuse directly . The Carthaginian army returned to Panormus , and after leaving enough forces to defend the Carthaginian domain , Himilco sailed eastwards to Messene with 600 warships and transports . He did not even stop at Thermae to punish the city for rebellion but continued to Lipira , where he coaxed thirty talents of silver as tribute . All the Sicels except the Asserini had deserted the cause of Dionysius by this time , and Himilco made treaties with Thermae and Cephaledion to safeguard his supply route . From Lipara the Punic fleet sailed east and the Carthaginian army was disembarked at Cape Pelorum , 12 miles north of Messene . Himilco led the Carthaginian force of 50 , 000 men along with 400 triremes and 600 transports to Sicily in 397 BC . The Carthaginians were joined by 30 , 000 Sicilians ( Sicels , Sikans and Elymians ) , but it is not known what forces Himilco left behind to guard Western Sicily when he sailed to Lipara with 300 triremes and 300 transports . The Carthaginian army encamped at Cape Peloris near the sanctuary of Posidon . Large Sicilian cities like Syracuse and Akragas could field up to 10 , 000 – 20 , 000 citizens , while smaller ones like Himera and Messana mustered between 5000 – 6 , 000 soldiers . Messana had mobilized 30 triremes against Syracuse in 399 BC . Carthaginian Cohorts . The Libyans supplied both heavy and light infantry and formed the most disciplined units of the army . The heavy infantry fought in close formation , armed with long spears and round shields , wearing helmets and linen cuirasses . The light Libyan infantry carried javelins and a small shield , same as Iberian light infantry . The Iberian infantry wore purple bordered white tunics and leather headgear . The Heavy infantry fought in a dense phalanx , armed with heavy throwing spears , long body shields and short thrusting swords . Campanian , Sardinian and Gallic infantry fought in their native gear , but often were equipped by Carthage . Sicels and other Sicilians were equipped like Greek Hoplites . The Libyans , Carthaginian citizens and the Libyo - Phoenicians provided disciplined , well trained cavalry equipped with thrusting spears and round shields . Numidia provided superb light cavalry armed with bundles of javelins and riding without bridle or saddle . Iberians and Gauls also provided cavalry , which relied on the all out charge . Carthage at this time did not use elephants , but Libyans provided bulk of the heavy , four horse war chariots for Carthage . Himilco had lost his chariots when 50 of his transports were sunk by the Greeks off Eryx and none seemed to have served at Messana . Carthaginian officer corps held overall command of the army , although many units may have fought under their chieftains . The Punic navy was built around the trireme , Carthaginian citizens usually served alongside recruits from Libya and other Carthaginian domains in the fleet . Carthaginians favored light , maneuverable crafts and they carried an extra sail for speed but fewer number of soldiers than their Greek counterparts . Carthaginian forces had encountered Syracusan Quinqueremes at Motya and are credited with inventing the Quadriremes , but it is not known if these ship types were present during the Messana campaign . Greek forces . The mainstay of the Greek army was the Hoplite , drawn mainly from the citizens , although mercenaries from Italy and Greece were also employed . The cavalry was recruited from wealthier citizens and hired mercenaries , while some citizens would also serve as peltast s , and mercenaries could he hired to fill the role of archers , slingers and skirmishers . The Messanian fleet used triremes as the standard fighting ship , but their status and location during this battle is unknown . The walls of Messene had fallen into disrepair . and the city was not prepared for a siege . Furthermore , their cavalry and some soldiers were away serving with the army of Syracuse . This made the government of Messene decide to fight the Carthaginians away from the city , and accordingly most of the men marched north to confront the Carthaginians near their encampment . The Carthaginian army vastly outnumbered the Greeks , and their fleet dominated the sea . The actual objective of the Greeks in marching north is unknown , they may have only intended to make contact and keep watch on their enemies , unless Himilco only had a part of his army present . The possibility of a naval adventure probably was not considered by Greek leaders . A prophesy had said that the Carthaginians will be water carriers in Messene , which probably had emboldened the Greeks into going up against superior forces . Many of the women , children and valuables were removed from the city before the Greeks marched out . Outflanking move against Messana . Himilco did nothing against the Greek army approaching his camp . It is not known whether Messana had any ships at that time or their role in the coming battle . Himilco , informed about the approaching Greek army , decided to outflank them using his naval superiority . He however ordered 200 triremes to be manned by picked crews and soldiers , and sail for Messana , thus outflanking the Greeks and attacking the undefended city directly . The trireme normally carried 200 rowers and 16 crew members ( including the ship captain ) and between 14 and 40 marines , so the Carthaginian strike force could number between 2 , 400 to 8 , 000 soldiers . The rowers , hard to replace trained professionals , were unlikely to be used on land brawls , but the crew could be added to the troops , augmenting the force by another 3 , 000 bodies . The ships could have been packed over their normal contingent , but it is unknown to what extent because triremes could be unsettled by heavily armored marines moving on deck , who were required to sit down when the ship was sailing . The name of the expedition commander is not known , but Mago , the future victor of the Catana and a kinsman of Himilco , may have been the person in charge . While part of the Carthaginian army assembled on the shore in Cape Peloris , two hundred trireme s , packed with picked soldiers and rowers sailed south to Messene . This contingent quickly reached the city , aided by the north wind , and landed the soldiers near Messene before the Greeks could double back . After taking control of the harbor , Carthaginians enterd the city , while part of their forces may have landed to the north and / or south of the city and attacked the place from both landward and seaward side , many Carthaginians had gained access through breaches in the city wall . The Carthaginians stormed the city , which fell quickly , but the city was not fully invested as some of the existing population managed to escape and scatter to various fortresses dotting the countryside . The soldiers of Messene also joined their families in the fortresses once the news of the capture of the city reached them . ( This is not the first time the inhabitants of Zancle lost their city while their army was away . In 493 BC , the king of Zancle , Skythes , was away from the city , conducting a campaign against the Sicels near Kala Akte . He had invited colonists from Samos and Miletus to settle in Sicily . The tyrant of Rhegion , Anaxilus , persuaded the colonists to take over the unguraded city of Zancle . Skythes returned with his army , his city was in hostile hands . He called on Hippocrates of Gela for help . Hippocrates arrived with an army , imprisoned Skythes for stupidity , made a treaty with the occupiers where he got half the goods in the city and the army of Skythes as slaves . Once he left , Anaxilus got rid of the colonists and occupied Zancle . ) Aftermath . After the Greeks established colonies at Lipara , Messana and Rhegion , the Etruscans had clashed with them to gain control of this strategic site and prey on Greeks . Part of the fabulous wealth of Sybaris came from their control over a road from Sybaris to Paestum which allowed traders to bypass the pirates at the Strait of Messina , control over which was a source on income for Messana . Himilco had captured both Lipara and Messana in a space of tew days , a feat Etruscans could not manage in a century of conflict . The capture of Messana gave the Carthaginians temporary control over the Strait of Messina , plus a harbor large enough to house the entire Punic fleet of 600 ships , and also put them in a position to hinder naval traffic between Italy and Sicily . The Carthaginians were also in a position to alley with Rhegion , which was hostile to Syracuse . Strategic Considerations . Himilco chose not to set up base at Messana , he probably was not confident about holding the city this far away from Carthage . Himilco next tried to reduce the fortresses in which the people of Messese had taken refuge , but gave up the attempt , as this proved too time consuming , and kept him from attacking Syracuse , where Dionysius would use any extra time to strengthen himself further . The ultimate Carthaginian goal was the defeat of Syracuse , Messana was just a sideshow . Bringing reinforcements from Carthage would also be time consuming as Carthage had no standing army and would need time to raise fresh mercenaries , while dividing the field army to guard Messana would decrease his striking power against Dionysius . After sacking and destroying the city , the Carthaginian army marched south along the eastern coast of Sicily , while their fleet sailed alongside . Dionysius had destroyed the cities of Naxos and Catana while expanding his power , giving Naxos to the Sicels and Catana to Campanian mercenaries . This meant fewer obstacles for Himilco to overcome along this route than along the southern coast of Sicily . Himilco could not entirely ignore the hostile Greek fortresses in his rear , as they might cause problems once he left the site . His solution was simple and ingenious at the same time , something that is termed indirect approach . Tauromenium founded . Himilco chose to plant a city at Mt . Taurus , where some Sicels had already settled , and populated it with allied Sicels and fortified the place , and in doing so killed several birds with a single stone . The city was near enough to block any Greek movements from Messana but was far enough away to fall victim to a surprise attack , and it could serve as a future base of operations . Furthermore , all the Sicels hated Dionysius and except those from Assorus , they now abandoned the Greeks and either joined Himilco or went to their respective homes , decreasing the strength of Dionysius without Carthaginians striking a single blow . Epaminondas in 370 BC used the same strategy when he rebuilt Messene and founded Megalopolis in Spartan territory after failing to take Sparta by force , and decreased their territory and manpower successfully . The city of Messene would later be rebuilt and cause trouble for both Carthage and Syracuse . Dionysius in the meantime was hiring mercenaries , building ships , freeing slaves to man them and strengthening the fortifications of Syracuse and Leontini . After persuading the inhabitants of Catania , ( who were Campanians and had been settled there by Dionysius after he drove the original Greek inhabitants away ) to move to Aetna , Dionysius made for Tauromenium with both his army and fleet . However , the belligerents were not destined to clash there .