Battle of Cronium

The Battle of Cronium (374 BCE) was part of the Sicilian Wars and took place in Sicily. A Syracusan army, led by Dionysius I, was defeated by a Carthaginian army, led by Mago III, Mago II's son. The Carthaginians won the day having routed the hostile army after the death of Leptines, Dionysius' brother. Cronium should be situated close to Palermo.

Background
Dionysius, the tyrant of Syracuse, having concluded a peace treaty with the Carthaginians after the Battle of Chrysas, was looking for a reason to renew the war. He found one when the subjugated cities of the Carthaginians started a revolt. Hij allied himself with them and treated them well. The Carthaginians sent envoys to ask their cities back, but they were ignored, so the war was renewed. The Carthaginians sent an army to Sicily to confront Dionysius. Their army, however, was defeated at Cabala. The Carthaginian King-general, Mago II, died in battle and his son, Mago III, became the new general. The Carthaginians had concluded a truce for a few days, but having expired, the two armies confronted again, this time at Cronium.

Battle
The battle started with a tough fight on one of the Syracusan wings, where Leptines was stationed. Hij died a glorious death, having killed many enemies. At his fall the Carthaginians were emboldened; they began pushing and routed their enemies. Dionysius, whose troops were a select band, were winning the fight, but after having received the news of the fall of Leptines and the defeat of the other wing, they were dismayed and took the flight. When the rout became general, the Carthaginians pursued the more eagerly and called out to one another to take no one captive; and so all who were caught were put to death. The Syracusan casualties were found to number more than fourteen thousand.

Aftermath
After this great victory, the Carthaginians returned to Panormus. They sent envoys to Dionysius and gave him the chance to end this war. The tyrant accepted this offer, and a truce was concluded. This included that both sides kept their territory, but only one exception, the Carthaginians receiving Selinous and Acragas. Dionysius had to pay the Carthaginians 1,000 talents.