SICILY. Tauromenion. Campanian mercenaries. 354-344 B.C. Æ onkia. 2.25 gm. 13 mm. Campanian helmet right, decorated with griffin / Monogram within laurel wreath. Campana (Kampanoi) 3. CNS III, 2. SNG ANS -. HGC 2, 1608. Good Very Fine; dark brown and green patina with earthen highlights. A particularly fine example. Rare.

(Cf. lot 21, the Mamertinoi in Messana)
The tyrants of Sicily had always employed mercenaries, often hired in Campania and Central Italy. In a land famed for its sweeping landscapes–ideal for the breeding of strong horses–the emergent Campanian nobility developed their renowned cavalry. Carrying heavy javelins for skirmishing and swords for melee, they used speed, agility, and flexibility of tactics to inflict damage on more heavily armed, and therefore slower moving, opponents. When King Agathocles of Syracuse died many of his strong young mercenaries refused to leave Sicily, and captured the Greek city of Messana in circa 288. They adopted the name of their war god Mamers, Oscan for Mars, often fighting like pirates and plundering the neighboring districts. Their activities which finally engaged the Romans against the Carthaginians set off the First Punic War (264-241 B.C.).