Chapter IV - The Syracusean Question (297 BC) - 1/2
Italy c.297 BC
As the Roman Republic was dealing with the Apuli, war was raging between Syracusae and Bruttii. Rome had so far been contend with the two Greek colonies in Tarentum and Ager Bruttius, but the possibility of having a third, more powerful Greek faction in Italy had always been a cause for concern.
The Bruttii held their own against the Syracusaen army at the Strait of Messina until the spring of 297 BC, when the Syracusaen army managed to cross the strait into Italy. The Bruttii army was in disarray and was not able to hold the enemy army from penetrating deeper, towards the Bruttii capital, Croton.
On receiving the grave news from Croton, the Senate decided to send an envoy to offer military assistance in beating back the Syracusaen army. The Bruttii were however reluctant to let the Roman army enter their territory, fearing the price for accepting Roman help would have them end like Picenum: a puppet-state.
Not long after the envoy had returned to Rome, the city of Croton surrendered. Syracusans were aware of Roman interests and the envoy's mission and decided to leave Ager Bruttius independent. Still, Syracusae was not willing to surrender their foothold on Italy, the region of Sikeloi on the eastern coast of Strait of Messina, and as such, Rome's problem of a third Greek colony in Italy remained unsolved.