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Tyndaris was founded in 396 BC by Dionysius I of Syracuse as a military colony, settled largely by Messenian exiles and Sicilian mercenaries. Its coinage reflects the city's persistent alignment with Syracuse throughout the third century, a loyalty that ultimately proved fatal — after siding with Carthage during the First Punic War, Tyndaris fell to Rome in 254 BC, the very opening of this issue's date range. The city continued striking bronze under Roman suzerainty, its mint output diminishing steadily through the Second Punic War period.