Appius Claudius Caudex

Appius Claudius Caudex was a member of the Roman Patrizierfamilie of the Claudier. He was the grandchild of Appius Claudius Caecus and consul in the year 264 v. Chr..

It pulled the republic in for the question of the possession of Sicilies into the conflict with Karthago . In the year 265 v. Chr. Hieron had II. of Syrakus Messina attacked, in order to remove the city from the Mamertinern, mercenaries from Kampanien, which had conquered it some year before. The Mamertiner allied itself thereupon together with a karthagischen fleet lying in the proximity and the Syrakuser repelled . When the Karthager did not leave the city after this success however again, the Mamertiner turned in the year 264 v. Chr. at Rome.

Some senators were not ready to help them but Appius Claudius convinced the citizens to support them. It led an army to Messina, and there the Mamertiner the Karthager had persuaded to withdraw itself met it before the city only on little resistance. The Mamertiner handed it to Appius over Claudius, the Romans drew in, saw themselves then however besieged, when the Karthager returned and took up it blockade again. When then also the Syrakuser likewise appeared itself outside of the city, Appius Claudius Ambassador sent into both bearings, was however rejected. Thereupon it led its troops out from the city, struck the Syrakuser in a battle, which arranged Hieron to withdraw itself and on the next day also the Karthager.

This argument became one of the direct causes for the first Puni war.