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Siege of Syracuse (278 BC)

Siege of Syracuse
Part of the Sicilian Wars and the Pyrrhic War
Date278 BC
Location
Result Epirote and Syracusan victory
Belligerents
Carthage Syracuse
Epirus
Commanders and leaders
Unknown Pyrrhos I
Thoenon
Sostratos
Strength
50,000 land troops
100 ships
20,000 land troops
140 ships

The siege of Syracuse in 278 BC was the last attempt of Carthage to conquer the city of Syracuse. Syracuse was weakened by a civil war between Thoenon and Sostratus. The Carthaginians used this opportunity to attack and besiege Syracuse both by land and sea. Thoenon and Sostratus then appealed to king Pyrrhus of Epirus to come to the aid of Syracuse. When Pyrrhus arrived, the Carthaginian army and navy retreated without a fight.


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