Battle of the Crimissus

In the Battle of the Crimisus (modern Belice ) a river in western Sicily, fought in June 341 or 340 BC, the Syracusans under Timoleon against the Carthaginians.

The force of the Carthaginians consisted, inter alia, from the famous " Sacred Band " formed by the rich citizens of Carthage. Timoleon, whose career Adcock referred to as perhaps the greatest triumph of the character in the history of the Greek city-states, could this numerically far superior army throw at a small, out of hoplites, light infantry ( peltasts ) and cavalry existing troops. For battlefield he chose the best tactical point: The banks of the river Crimisus.

The initiative on their side, the Carthaginians began to cross the calm river. As the bulk of the Carthaginians was busy wading through, a sudden change in the weather changed the course of the battle: It started to rain and the Crimisus was pouring a deadly power. The Sacred Band was incapacitated through the mud, destroyed by the light infantry of the Syracusans. Timoleon took advantage of destiny and destroyed by the Carthaginians completely.

Napoleon's dictum " Qui ne risque rien, n'attrappe rien" is comprehensive on the brave decision of Timoleon, to offer the Carthaginians forehead, apply. The submission of Syracuse by Carthage was averted with this battle for the time being, but could not prevent the African great power gain supremacy in Sicily and could hold out until the end of the war they 1.Punischen.