Ab Urbe Condita

The Mamertinoi (or Mamertini or Mamertines), the “sons of Mars”, were Italian mercenaries who were hired by Agathokles, the king of Syracuse. When Agathokles died, most of the Mamertinoi went home. The remaining ones managed to take over the city of Messana through treachery and turned the city into a raiding base. They came into conflict with Hieron II, the new king of Syracuse. He defeated them at the Longanus river in 269 BC. and then besieged Messana in 265 BC. The Mamertines called in Carthage for protection. The Syracusans retreated, not wanting trouble with Carthage. Then the Mamertines got tired of the Carthaginians and asked Rome for assistance. Syracuse then allied with the Carthaginians and the feud turned into the first Punic war.