Hanno ( xpu, 𐤇𐤍𐤀 , ) was a
Carthaginian The term Carthaginian ( la, Carthaginiensis ) usually refers to a citizen of Ancient Carthage.
It can also refer to:
* Carthaginian (ship), a three-masted schooner built in 1921
* Insurgent privateers; nineteenth-century South American privateers, ...
general, prominent in the events leading to the start of the
First Punic War
The First Punic War (264–241 BC) was the first of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage, the two main powers of the western Mediterranean in the early 3rd century BC. For 23 years, in the longest continuous conflict and grea ...
(264 to 241 BC).
Appeal for assistance from the Mamertines
In 265 BCE, the
Mamertines
The Mamertines ( la, Mamertini, "sons of Mars", el, Μαμερτῖνοι) were mercenaries of Italian origin who had been hired from their home in Campania by Agathocles (361–289 BC), Tyrant of Syracuse and self-proclaimed King of Sicily. ...
who were occupying Messana were being threatened by
Hiero II of Syracuse. Consequently, they sent appeals for assistance to
Rome and Carthage. The Carthaginians were first to respond, dispatching a small force commanded by Hanno to occupy the citadel of
Messana and patrol the
strait of Messina.
[Ioannes Zonaras, An Epitome Of The Lost Books Of Dio]
11.8
/ref> The Roman consul Appius Claudius Caudex
Appius Claudius Caudex ( 264 BC) was a Roman politician. He was the younger brother of Appius Claudius Caecus, and served as consul in 264 BC.
In that year, he drew Rome into conflict with Carthage over possession of Sicily. In 265 BC, Hiero II of ...
, desiring personal glory, persuaded the Roman People with promises of profit to vote in favour of intervening in Messana. Gaius Claudius Gaius Claudius Centho or Cento was a 3rd-century BC member of a prominent and wealthy patrician Roman Republican family. He was the third son of Appius Claudius Caecus, and a member of the Claudii. He was consul in the year 240 BC. He was Roman cen ...
, a military tribune, was sent in advance by the consul Appius Claudius Caudex
Appius Claudius Caudex ( 264 BC) was a Roman politician. He was the younger brother of Appius Claudius Caecus, and served as consul in 264 BC.
In that year, he drew Rome into conflict with Carthage over possession of Sicily. In 265 BC, Hiero II of ...
with a few ships to Rhegium, a city allied to the Romans on the opposite side of the strait, on the Italian mainland.
Expulsion from Messana
G. Claudius commenced negotiations with Hanno, but negotiations must have broken down and Gaius unsuccessfully tried to force passage across the strait, in the process losing some triremes to the skillful Carthaginian sailors.[Ioannes Zonaras, An Epitome Of The Lost Books Of Dio]
11.9
/ref> Gaius Claudius, it would seem, ignored the gesture and tried again to cross the strait to Messana; this time successfully. The Mamertines urged Hanno to descend from the citadel and parley with the Romans. Hanno reluctantly agreed, but the talks failed again. The Romans seized Hanno and imprisoned him. Hanno was thus compelled to withdraw the Carthaginian garrison from Messana.First Punic War
The First Punic War (264–241 BC) was the first of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage, the two main powers of the western Mediterranean in the early 3rd century BC. For 23 years, in the longest continuous conflict and grea ...
.
Death
The Carthaginians subsequently crucified Hanno for what was regarded as cowardice and lack of judgement in leaving the citadel of Messana.[Polybius, The Histories]
1:11.5
/ref>
See also
* Other Hannos in Carthaginian history
References
Citations
Bibliography
* .
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hanno
Carthaginian commanders of the First Punic War
Messina
3rd-century BC Punic people
3rd-century BC deaths
3rd-century BC executions
Year of birth unknown