bgr_453415 - SICILY - ABAKAINON Litra

SICILY - ABAKAINON

(4th century BC)

Abakainon, located in the North-West of Sicily was founded by the Siceliotes. Hellenized, the city allied itself with Carthage in order to face the Syracusan danger constituted by Dionysius I. Abakainon appealed to the Carthaginian general Magon to protect it from the expansionist aims of Dionysius I after the foundation of Tyndaris and the occupation of part of the territory of Abakainon in 396 BC. Finally Magon was defeated in 393 BC .-C. under the walls of the city which fell under Greek domination. This alliance continued even under Agathokles. The cities revolted against the Syracusan hegemony and appealed to Hamilcar, son of Gisco who defeated Agathokles at Himère in 311 BC. welcomed Hieron II who drove out the invaders. After this date, Abakainon lost its importance, replaced by Tyndaris.