The Mamertines | Warriors of History

The Mamertines, with their Latin name meaning "sons of Mars" and Greek moniker Μαμερτῖνοι, were a group of Italian mercenaries originating from Campania. Their tale unfolds in the context of Sicilian power struggles and the lead-up to the First Punic War.
Initially hired by Agathocles, the Tyrant of Syracuse and self-proclaimed King of Sicily, the Mamertines faced an uncertain fate after the loss of the Seventh Sicilian War. With Agathocles' death in 289 BC, many mercenaries found themselves idle and unemployed in Sicily. While most returned home, a faction, attracted by the island's climate and the promise of adventure, decided to stay, setting the stage for their pivotal role in subsequent events.
The Mamertines' infamous capture of Messina in 288 BC marked a turning point. This walled Greek settlement, strategically positioned at the northeastern tip of Sicily, fell victim to the mercenaries' betrayal. Initially welcomed by the unsuspecting inhabitants, the Mamertines eventually turned on them, killing most of the population and claiming Messina for themselves. The survivors were expelled, and the spoils of victory, including property and women, were divided among the Mamertines. In the aftermath, they adopted the name "Mamertines" in honor of the Oscan war-god Mamers.
For over two decades, the Mamertines held sway in Messina, transforming it from a thriving community of farmers and traders into a base for raiding and piracy. Exploiting the war-weary Sicilians, they pillaged nearby settlements, seized trade ships on the strait between Italy and Sicily, and demanded tribute. Their audacious exploits extended inland, reaching as far as Gela, further enhancing their wealth and influence. During this period, they minted coins featuring their name and depictions of their gods and goddesses.
In terms of weapons and armour, Marmertines are often depicted as wearing similar armour to that of their italian counterparts. Often this is in the form of the triple disk chest plate, a type of armour that was common throughout the italian peninsular. They are also often portrayed as wearing montifortino helmets, with white feather plumes. Coins and various other depictions show the Marmertines wielding a greek style Hoplon Shield, although it is entirely possible they also used Italian shields, such as those used by the Samnites. For weapons, its highly likely the Marmentines used the Hasta Spear, aswell as a side arm, likely a short stabbing sword.
The Mamertines' unchecked dominance drew the attention of Hiero II, the tyrant of Syracuse, who aimed to rid the land of these disruptive mercenaries. In around 270 BC, Hiero confronted the Mamertines near the Longanus River, defeating them decisively. The Mamertines' reckless behavior in battle, coupled with Hiero's strategic maneuvers, restricted their activities and placed them in a precarious situation.
In 265 BC, when Hiero besieged their base at Messina, the Mamertines sought help from Carthage, leading to a sequence of alliances that escalated into the First Punic War. The Mamertines, now caught in a larger conflict, appealed to Rome for protection against Carthaginian forces. Rome, reluctant at first, eventually allied with the Mamertines, triggering a clash with Carthage. This marked a significant step toward the broader conflict that became the First Punic War.
The fate of the Mamertines is obscured in history after the Punic Wars. However, their legacy endured, with their name persisting in the toponymy of Messina's inhabitants. Mamertine wine from the vineyards of the northeastern tip of Sicily remained known even centuries later, enjoyed by figures like Julius Caesar. The Mamertines, though lost in the larger events of history, left an undeniable mark on the ancient world and became a symbol of defiance and conquest in the narratives of their time.
SOURCES:
www.worldhisto...
www.britannica...
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MUSIC : by Alexander Nakarada
Music: by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License
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[@antoniomoreira5921]

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[@genovayork2468]

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[@ezrafriesner8370]

Never heard of em till now! Lovely vid as always lad

[@lordmanatee439]

Holy shit it's the mob

[@Igirisujininjapan]

Is it pronounced MamerTEEN or MamerTYNE? You flip between the two every other sentence. Perhaps you’re just trying to keep everyone happy by pronouncing it either way?

[@ragnar217]

Second one

[@intboom]

What about MahMERTINee?

[@Mworldgames]

I'm the second comment hell ye