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Once the scale of the conflict had escalated beyond them, the
Mamertines were lost to the historical record and their fate is lost, swallowed up in the larger events of the Punic wars. After the First Punic War, however, their name was not quite forgotten in the ancient world since "Mamertine wine"
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to be allowed into the protection of the Roman people. At first, the Romans did not wish to come to the aid of soldiers who had unjustly stolen a city from its rightful possessors. However, unwilling to see
Carthaginian power spread further over Sicily and get too close to Italy, Rome responded by
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on the toe of Italy, it was the crossing point between Italy and Sicily. Being a peaceful people, the inhabitants allowed the travelling mercenaries into their homes. After a time, the mercenaries became restless and plotted to capture the town. One night, the mercenaries betrayed their hosts and
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The
Mamertines held the town of Messina for over 20 years. They changed it from a bustling town of farmers and traders to a raiding base. The Mamertines became pirates on land and sea. Taking advantage of the war-weary Sicilians, they looted the nearby settlements and captured trade ships on the
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where he easily defeated them, and proclaimed himself king. The
Mamertines were not accustomed to large pitched battles and had become reckless after beating Hiero's mercenaries. In the battle, Hiero captured the Mamertine leaders and the remnants fled back to the safety of Messina. Hiero had
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strait, carrying their plunder back to their base. They captured prisoners and demanded tribute. During this period, they struck coins featuring their name and images of their gods and goddesses. Their exploits made them rich and powerful. They began travelling further inland, even as far as
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killed most of the population, who were unprepared. In this way, they claimed
Messina for themselves in 288 BC. The surviving Messinians were thrown out and the property and women divided. After their victory, the mercenaries named themselves the Mamertines after the
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writes of the Greeks singing the 'old song of the
Mamertines': "With my lance and sword I plough and reap; I am master of the house! The disarmed man falls at my feet and calls me Lord and Great King."
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The
Mamertine presence did not go unchallenged forever. In around 270 BC, the Mamertine exploits came to the attention of Syracuse, by word of the refugees from the settlements.
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from the vineyards of north-eastern tip of Sicily was still known and enjoyed in the 1st century. It was the favourite of
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When Hiero returned to besiege their base at
Messina in 265 BC, the Mamertines called for help from a nearby fleet from
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and it was he who made it popular after serving it at a feast to celebrate his third consulship.
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in 307 BC. When
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settlement of Messina built on a strategic location on the north-eastern tip of Sicily on the
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entering into an alliance with the Mamertines. In response, Syracuse allied itself with
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restricted the Mamertine activity and placed them in a dire situation.
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The then-small band of desperados came across the walled
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Coin minted under Mamertine rule, depicting a warrior
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