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Alexon

Background

Backgroud

Alexon, known in Greek as Ἀλέξων was a Greek mercenary from Achaea during the First Punic War. Nothing is known about his early life and career until he appears at the garrison of Lilybaeum in 250 BC during the Siege of Lilybaeum. During this time a few of the Gallic mercenaries that the Carthaginians employed for their defenses betrayed them and began plotting to turn over the fortress to the Romans Republic.

However, Alexon who had also prevented a previous plot at the town of Agrigentum during the Siege of Agrigentum and informed the commander Himilco. He also dissuaded many mercenaries from betraying the Carthaginians and remaining loyal to their defense. Nothing is known about him after this.

Bibliography

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources

Polybius, i. 43, ii. 7

Schmitz, Leonhard (1867). "Alexon". In William Smith. Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. 1. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. p. 131.

Smith, William, ed. (1870). "article name needed". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.