Readers are introduced to Amlici in Alma 2, where he appears among the Nephites seeking to be their king. Amlici’s ideology was similar to that of Nehor. He gathered many followers, called "Amlicites," and incited them in armed conflict with the Nephites. The Amlicites then formed an allegiance with the Lamanites to continue in their war against the Nephites. During battle, Amlici was slain in one-on-one, hand-to-hand combat with Alma. At this point in the record, the Amlicites seem to completely disappear from the Book of Mormon narrative.
However, later during Aaron’s missionary work among the Lamanites, he teaches a group of people called "Amalekites." There is no introduction or explanation in the record as to the origins of the Amalekite people. Like the Amlicites, the Amalekites shared ideological connections to Nehor and were later listed as Nephite dissenters.
Many scholars have concluded that these two groups—Amlicites and Amalekites—are one and the same people. This conclusion is buttressed by Royal Skousen’s work with the Original and Printer’s Manuscripts of the Book of Mormon. The "Amlicites" are first mentioned in the Printer’s Manuscript, with the word being spelled "Amlikites," indicating that both "Amlici" and "Amlicites" may have been pronounced using a hard "c" rather than a soft "c."
In addition, the earliest surviving references to the Amalekites in the original manuscript are spelled "Amelicites." The spelling for "Amelicites" differs from the spelling for "Amlicites" by the addition of only one "e," with the resultant addition of another syllable in the word (making a total of four syllables)—the same number of syllables in the word "Amalekites." Skousen felt that the similarity in spellings in the Book of Mormon manuscripts strongly supports the conclusion that the Amalekites were followers of Amlici and the same people as the Amlicites. Furthermore, both the Amlicites and Amalekites are described as having ideological connections to Nehor with similar goals. Both groups were religious dissidents who desired a return to a monarchal form of government.
Book of Mormon Central, "How Were the Amlicites and Amalekites Related?" KnoWhy 109 (May 27, 2016).