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The siege of Syracuse by the Roman Republic took place in 213–212 BC. The Romans successfully stormed the Hellenistic city of Syracuse after a protracted siege, giving them control of the entire island of Sicily. During the siege, the city was protected by weapons developed by Archimedes.
The western Mediterranean during the Punic Wars. In 214 bce the pro-Roman king, Hiero II of Syracuse, died and a republic was founded. The new government rebuffed Rome, allied itself to Carthage, and declared war. A Roman army and fleet, led by Marcus Claudius Marcellus, arrived to lay siege.
Apr 10, 2020 · Learn how a Roman general and a Greek genius clashed in a battle of engineering during the Second Punic War. Discover how Archimedes' inventions defended Syracuse from Roman siege ships and infantry.
Jul 23, 2023 · Learn about the Siege of Syracuse, a major conflict in the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage in Sicily. Discover the reasons, strategies, leaders, and outcomes of the siege, and how it led to the death of the famous Greek mathematician Archimedes.
In the spring of 414 bce, commanded by Nicias—a rather indecisive general who had opposed making the expedition in the first place—it settled down to besiege Syracuse. Sparta and its allies sent troops and a fleet to Sicily, and a series of inconclusive land and sea battles around Syracuse followed.
Aug 8, 2018 · Learn how Archimedes, a Greek inventor, used catapults, arrow-loops, and cranes to defend his hometown of Syracuse from the Roman army and navy in 215 BC. Discover the myths and facts about his legendary devices and his famous "Eureka!" moment.
After the failure of their siege, the Romans decided to blockade Syracuse to starve out the city. But in 212 BC Marcellus took advantage of the Syracusans' neglect of their defenses during a festival to the goddess Artemis to breach the inland walls and take the city.
