Unlike Spain, Sicily had been relatively quiet during the opening years of the Second Punic War. That all changed in 216 BC with the death of Hiero II, King of Syracuse. Staunchly pro-Roman, Hiero had feared that his grandson and natural heir, Hieronymus, would lead Syracuse to disaster. His greatest fears were justified - shortly after the old king's death, Hieronymus broke with Rome and allied with Hannibal. When Hieronymus was assassinated, one of the most confused and confusing conflicts of the Second Punic War began, one which would ultimately culminate in the sacking of the greatest Greek city in Magna Graecia.
Link to the Episode 45 page on the Layman's Historian website
Recommended further reading:
The Histories by Polybius
Hannibal's War by Titus Livius
A Companion to the Punic Wars (Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World) Edited by Dexter Hoyos
Hannibal's Dynasty by Dexter Hoyos
Carthage Must Be Destroyed by Richard Miles
Implacable Enemies: The Barcid Armies at War by Karwansary Publishers
Clash of the Colossi: The First Punic War by Karwansary Publishers
Subscribe or leave a review on iTunes or Spotify
Leave a like or comment on Facebook or Twitter
Contact me directly through email
Episode 32 - All the Nations of the Earth: The Carthaginian Army under Hannibal
Episode 31 - Men of Iron: The Polybian Roman Legion
Episode 30 - How We Know What We Know (About the Punic Wars)
Episode 29 - The Barcid Revolution
Episode 28 - The Truceless War: Part II
Episode 27 - The Truceless War: Part I
Episode 26 - Hamilcar Barca and the End of Carthaginian Sicily
Episode 25 - Gridlock
Episode 24 - Spartans and Elephants
Episode 23 - Clash of the Titans
Episode 22 - Rome takes to the Sea
Episode 21 - At Acragas
Episode 20 - So It Begins
Episode 19 - Pyrrhus of Epirus: Part II
Episode 18 - Pyrrhus of Epirus: Part I
Episode 17 - The Senate and the People of Rome
Episode 16 - The Diadochi: Heirs of Alexander
Episode 15 - The Keltoi: The Terror of Civilization
Episode 14 - North Africa and Spain
Episode 13 - Carthage: Her City, Her People, and Her Soul
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Irish Songs with Ken Murray
History Obscura
Historycal: Words that Shaped the World
The Rest Is History
Lore