Editing 239 BC (section)

==== Carthage ====
* Concerned that [[Hamilcar Barca]]'s leniency in pardoning those who he has captured who have participated in the [[Mercenary War]] will encourage others to defect, [[Mathos]] and [[Spendius]] order the mutilation and execution of "about seven hundred" [[Carthage|Carthaginian]] prisoners, including Gesco. With the mercenaries jointly guilty of these atrocities, defectors dare not face Carthaginian justice under Hamilcar.
* Carthage is besieged by the mercenary armies, while the city of [[Utica, Tunisia|Utica]] revolts and attempts to secede from Carthage. Carthage appeals to [[Hiero II of Syracuse]] and to [[Roman Republic|Rome]] for aid against the mercenaries. However, the mercenary leaders reject the efforts of Roman mediators.
* [[Sardinia]] revolts against Carthage and Rome takes the opportunity to annex the island.