Battle of Himera
Himera, on the northern coast of Sicily, Italy
What happened
Greek armies led by Gelon of Syracuse and Theron of Akragas fought a Carthaginian army under Hamilcar. Carthage sent Hamilcar to Sicily to put the ousted ruler Terillus back in charge of the Greek city of Himera. Theron defended the city until Gelon arrived with help. Gelon's horsemen got into the Carthaginian camp by the sea, Hamilcar fell, and the Carthaginian army was defeated.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It crippled Carthage's power in Sicily for many decades. It made Syracuse the leading power on the island.
What came next
Carthage paid a large sum but lost no land, and left Sicily alone for about 70 years. In 409 BCE a new Carthaginian army destroyed Himera, and it was never rebuilt.
Did you know?
The main ruin still standing at Himera is a Temple of Victory, built to remember the defeat of the Carthaginians.
Timeline
- 648 BCEHimera is founded by settlers from Zancle, according to Diodorus.
- 480 BCEThe Greeks win at Himera.
- 409 BCECarthage destroys Himera.