GREEK, Sicily, Syracuse, Hieron II

Hieron II, (also spelled Hiero) was king of Syracuse, Sicily, from about 270 to 216/215 B.C. He struggled against the Mamertines who were mercenaries of Italian origin who had originally been hired from their home in Campania by Agathocles (361 – 289 BC), self-proclaimed King of Sicily. After the Mamertines called in the aid of Rome Hieron joined the Punic leader Hanno, who had recently landed in Sicily, and fought an inconclusive battle with the Romans after which he withdrew to Syracuse. In 263 Hieron concluded a treaty with Rome and from this time until his death in 215 B.C. he remained loyal to the Romans, and frequently assisted them with men and provisions during the Punic war.