“The Histories (Book I)” (Chap. 11)

1 And, even at the end, the Senate did not sanction the proposal for the reason given above, considering that the objection on the score of inconsistency was equal in weight to the advantage to be derived from intervention.

2 The commons, however, worn out as they were by the recent wars and in need of any and every kind of restorative, listened readily to the military commanders, who, besides giving the reasons above stated for the general advantageousness of the war, pointed out the great benefit in the way of plunder which each and every one would evidently derive from it. They were therefore in favour of sending help;

3 And when the measure had been passed by the people they appointed to the command one of the Consuls, Appius Claudius, who was ordered to cross to Messene.

4 The Mamertines, partly by menace and partly by stratagem, dislodged the Carthaginian commander, who was already established in the citadel, and then invited Appius to enter, placing the city in his hands.

5 The Carthaginians crucified their general, thinking him guilty of a lack both of judgement and of courage in abandoning their citadel.

6 Acting for themselves they stationed their fleet in the neighbourhood of Cape Pelorias, and with their land forces pressed Messene close in the direction of Sunes.

7 Hiero now, thinking that present circumstances were favourable for expelling from Sicily entirely the foreigners who
occupied Messene, made an alliance with the Carthaginians, and quitting Syracuse with his army

8 Marched towards that city. Pitching his camp near the Chalcidian mountain on the side opposite to the Carthaginians he cut off this means of exit from the city as well.

9 Appius, the Roman consul, at the same time succeeded at great risk in crossing the Straits by night and entering the city.

10 Finding that the enemy had strictly invested Messene on all sides and regarding it as both inglorious and perilous for himself to be besieged,

11 as they commanded both land and sea, he at first tried to negotiate with both, desiring to deliver the Mamertines from the war.

12 But when neither paid any attention to him, he decided perforce to risk an engagement

13 And in the first place to attack the Syracusans. Leading out his forces he drew them up in order of battle, the king of Syracuse readily accepting the challenge.

14 After a prolonged struggle Appius was victorious and drove the whole hostile force back to their camp.

15 After despoiling the dead he returned to Messene. Hiero, divining the final issue of the whole conflict, retreated in haste after nightfall to Syracuse.