Strategies of War

Military Tactics of the Himera River Conflict

Unlock the forgotten tactics of one of antiquity’s most decisive — and overlooked — battles.

In Strategies of War, Author Terry Sloan brings to life the Battle of the Himera River (480 BCE), a pivotal yet often ignored conflict that unfolded on the shores of ancient Sicily. While the Persian armies clashed with the Greeks at Thermopylae and Salamis, a simultaneous war raged in the West — where a Greek alliance confronted the mighty Carthaginian forces in a struggle that would shape the balance of power in the Mediterranean.

Through vivid narrative, detailed tactical analysis, and strategic insights, Sloan examines:

• The political stakes and alliances that led to war

• The contrasting military doctrines of Greek phalanx warfare and Carthaginian combined arms

• Battlefield formations, logistics, terrain advantages, and command decisions

• Lessons in leadership, adaptability, and deception still relevant to modern military thinkers