Himilco

Who is Himilco?

Himilco was a member of the Magonids, a Carthaginian family of hereditary generals, and had command over the Carthaginian forces between 406 and 397 BCE. He is chiefly known for his war in Sicily against Dionysius I of Syracuse. The Magonid Family of Carthage played a central role between 550 – 375 BC in the political and military affairs of the Carthaginian Empire. Himilco came to prominence after being selected deputy of his cousin Hannibal Mago in 406 BC for the Carthaginian expedition to Sicily. He took command of the expedition after Hannibal’s death and sacked Akragas, Gela and Camarina while fighting off determined Greek opposition led by successive leaders of Syracuse. The Peace treaty Himilco concluded with Dionysius of Syracuse in 405 BC brought Carthaginian holdings in Sicily to its maximum extent. Elected “king” by 398 BC, Himilco led the Carthaginian effort against Dionysius after 398 BC, and although initially successful, suffered a reverse at Syracuse in 396 BC when his forces were decimated by the plague and then defeated by Dionysius. He managed to bring the Carthaginians of the force home after bribing Dionysius and abandoning his other troops. Himilco publicly assumed full responsibility for the debacle, and after visiting all the temples of the city dressed as a slave to offer penance, starved himself to death.