Greece has always produced, among other things, warriors. Already from Mycenaean times, Greek mercenaries fought in the service of foreign states and kings. Among the best known were the Myrians, or the famous Spartan Carthaginian general Xanthippos.
Another very little to little known was Alexon the Achaean . Little is known about this enigmatic personality. Apart from the place where he was born, we know nothing else about him, with the exception of his military activity, or rather part of it. The 3rd century BC it was not the best time for Greece. Endemic wars plagued the country and resulted in poverty prevailing. On the other hand, the wars were a brilliant field of glory for the poor Greeks who were looking for opportunities to get rich.
This also happened with Alexon who was in the service first of Agathocles of Syracuse and then of the Carthaginians during the First Carthaginian War. Alexon appears from Polybius as serving in Sicily from at least 289 BC. in the service of Agathocles, king of Syracuse. Alexon had also saved the city of Akraganta when mercenaries, Gauls or Mamertines attacked the city immediately after the death of Agathocles.
Much later it appears in Lilyvaion (today's Marsala) in 250 BC. when the city was again besieged by the Romans. A significant number of Gallic mercenaries also served in the garrison with their own leaders. The Gallic leaders, either tired of the siege, or wanting to secure their own lives and the lives of the men by earning money, decided to come to an agreement with the Romans to surrender the city to them. One night Gallic officers sneaked out of the city and went to the Roman camp to speak with the Roman general Atilius Regulus Serranus.
But Alexon the Achaean, probably an officer himself, judging by his already long presence in military service, understood their intentions and informed his Carthaginian commander , Imilkon. The latter, when informed by Alexon, took the measures of principle by winning over to his side all the other mercenary officers and expelling the men of the conspiratorial officers from the city.
Imilkon trusting his Greek officer completely, entrusted him with the command of all the mercenary departments in the city. And when the traitorous officers tried to return to the city, Alexon's men - now - welcomed them with weapons, forcing them to flee. Thanks to Alexon, the city did not fall. The Romans were forced to besiege it for nine years until it was surrendered to them after the treaty that ended the First Carthaginian War. We must assume that in 250 BC Alexon must have been close to 60.