4th century BCE – 3rd century BCE
Syracuse, Sicily, and North Africa
Agathokles was the tyrant of Syracuse who brought the conflict between Syracuse and Carthage into North Africa in 310 BC. He captured Tunis and Hadrumetum, encouraged revolts among Carthage’s Libyan subjects and Numidian allies, and later seized Utica and Hippo. Despite overrunning much of the interior, he failed to defeat Carthage and abandoned his African army in 307 BC.
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The Story
Agathokles confronted Carthage while Syracuse was under siege in 310 BC. Rather than remain on the defensive in Sicily, he invaded North Africa and achieved striking early successes. Tunis and Hadrumetum fell to his forces, while Libyan subjects and Numidian allies of Carthage were encouraged to revolt or change sides.
In 308 BC Agathokles formed an alliance with Ophelias, whom Ptolemy had left in control of Cyrene. Their plan divided the anticipated spoils: Ophelias would rule Africa and Agathokles Sicily. Ophelias crossed the desert along the Tripolitanian coast with a large army and many prospective Greek colonists, but Agathokles murdered him after dissension broke out between the allies.
Agathokles continued the offensive, capturing Utica and Hippo and overrunning much of the interior. Carthage nevertheless retained command of the sea and could supply itself by ship. The Libyans and Numidians increasingly withheld commitment, waiting to see which side would prevail.
By 307 BC Agathokles was forced to abandon his army in Africa and return to Sicily. His campaign exposed the vulnerability of Carthaginian inland rule while demonstrating that naval control remained central to the survival of the city and its empire.
4th century BCE – 3rd century BCE
Syracuse, Sicily, and North Africa
Agathokles was the tyrant of Syracuse who brought the conflict between Syracuse and Carthage into North Africa in 310 BC. He captured Tunis and Hadrumetum, encouraged revolts among Carthage’s Libyan subjects and Numidian allies, and later seized Utica and Hippo. Despite overrunning much of the interior, he failed to defeat Carthage and abandoned his African army in 307 BC.
Continue exploring
The Story
Agathokles confronted Carthage while Syracuse was under siege in 310 BC. Rather than remain on the defensive in Sicily, he invaded North Africa and achieved striking early successes. Tunis and Hadrumetum fell to his forces, while Libyan subjects and Numidian allies of Carthage were encouraged to revolt or change sides.
In 308 BC Agathokles formed an alliance with Ophelias, whom Ptolemy had left in control of Cyrene. Their plan divided the anticipated spoils: Ophelias would rule Africa and Agathokles Sicily. Ophelias crossed the desert along the Tripolitanian coast with a large army and many prospective Greek colonists, but Agathokles murdered him after dissension broke out between the allies.
By 307 BC Agathokles was forced to abandon his army in Africa and return to Sicily. His campaign exposed the vulnerability of Carthaginian inland rule while demonstrating that naval control remained central to the survival of the city and its empire.
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