Battle of the Crimissus
Crimissus (Freddo) River, north-western Sicily, Italy
What happened
Greek forces from Syracuse under Timoleon of Corinth fought a large Carthaginian army under Hasdrubal and Hamilcar. Timoleon had come from Corinth to free Syracuse from tyrants, and a Carthaginian army invaded Sicily. Although outnumbered, he attacked while the Carthaginians were crossing the Crimissus River. A storm of hail and rain blew into the Carthaginians' faces, the river flooded, and their army broke and fled.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Carthage soon asked for peace. The treaty let the Greek cities of Sicily recover and brought years of stability.
What came next
The peace of 338 BCE kept Carthage west of the Halycus River. Timoleon retired, and Syracuse honoured him with a monument and a gymnasium named after him.
Did you know?
Carthage usually fought with hired soldiers, but at the Crimissus it lost about 3,000 of its own citizens, many from wealthy families.
Timeline
- 344 BCETimoleon lands in Sicily.
- Early June 339 BCETimoleon wins at the Crimissus.
- 338 BCEPeace is made with Carthage.
- 317 BCEAgathocles seizes power in Syracuse.