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
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Episode 12 - The Battle for Carthage
Episode 11 - The Enemy in Africa
Episode 10 - Syracuse in Retreat
Episode 9 - Agathocles and the Age of Alexander
Episode 8 - Timoleon and the End of the Second Sicilian War
Episode 7 - Dionysius the Tyrant
Episode 6 - Carthage Strikes Back
Episode 5 - Syracuse, Sicily, and the Hellenes
Episode 4 - A Punic Sea
Episode 3 - Qart-Hadasht - The New City
Episode 2 - Dido's Drama
Episode 1 - The Middlemen of the Mediterranean
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