Himera

Himera, ancient city of Italy, on the northern coast of Sicily, not far from the modern city of Palermo. Founded in 648 bc by colonists from Messina and exiles from Syracuse, Himera achieved great power. In 480 bc Carthage sent an expedition to Himera. The Carthaginian forces were defeated by an army of Syracusan Greeks under Gelon, tyrant of Syracuse. Under the protection of Syracuse the city seems to have prospered during the remainder of the 5th century. In 409 bc the Carthaginians again attacked Himera and demolished the city. The citizens moved several kilometres to the west and founded the new city, Thermae Himerenses (modern Termini Imerese); this city was held by Carthage until it was taken by the Romans during the first (264-241 bc) of the Punic Wars.