"Syracusan Army of Dionysius" Topic

So I am thinking these would be more akin to 4/5th c Greek Hoplites than early Italians? Any good reference sites online?

Considering it was a Greek colony I think that would be true. There is an Osprey Publishing book on it.

link

Weren't they mostly foreign mercenaries? I don't think he trusted his people very much.

Might consider cavalry with shields – I gather that when Pyrrhus came back from his adventures in the area he introduced shielded 'Tarantine' cavalry to the Greek world.

Yes, lots of mercenaries as I recall.

I believe the composition varied over time. There were Syracusan citizens likely armoured as hoplites, mercs drawn from the Greeks, Italiotes, and even some Iberians after defeating Carthage. Possibly Sicels and I've even seen Etruscans mentioned before.

Emperorbaz, please check Ancient Battle Reports. It will be Carthage invades Sicily. This is a game I put on two weeks ago. I used Greeks for my Syracsans with Heavy Cavalry with shield. It is just to give you some ideas. Mike Adams P.S. Hi Simon

Dionysius' army had a very high proportion of mercenaries. Especially Campanians and other Italic peoples

Hi Mike yes I did see that battle report. Very useful thanks – that, combined with my holiday to Sicily (just got back) got me thinking I may have a use for all my unpainted Greek figures in my collection!