A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

4. A Carthaginian general, who happened to be stationed with a fleet at Lipara, when Hieron, after gaining a great victory over the Mamertines, was preparing to follow up his advantage, and besiege Messana itself. The Carthaginians were at this time hostile to the Mamertines, and, in name at least, friendly to Hieron; but Hannibal was alarmed at the prospect of the latter obtaining so important an accession of power; he therefore hastened to the camp of Hieron, and induced him to grant terms to the Mamertines, while he himself succeeded in introducing a Carthaginian garrison into the city of MAessana. (Diod. Exc. Hoeschcl. 22.15. p. 500.) These events must have occurred in 270 B. C. (See Droysen, Hellenismus, vol. ii. p. 268, not.) It may probably have been this same Hannibal who is mentioned by Diodorus (Exc. Hoeschel. 23.5) as arriving at Xiphonias with a naval force to the support of Hieron, but too late to prevent that prince from concluding peace with the Romans, B. C. 263.