DREPANA and LILYBAEUM were now the only places in Sicily, held by
Carthage. A regular siege of Lilybaeum was decided upon, and the city
was blockaded by land and sea; but the besieging party suffered as
much as the besieged, its supplies were frequently cut off by the
cavalry of the Carthaginians, and its ranks began to be thinned by
disease.

The Consul, Publius Claudius, who had charge of the siege, determined
to surprise the Carthaginian fleet, which was stationed at Drepana
(249). He was unsuccessful, and lost three fourths of his vessels.
Another fleet of 120 sail sent to aid him was wrecked in a violent
storm.

The Romans were now in perplexity. The war had lasted fifteen years.
Four fleets had been lost, and one sixth of the fighting population.
They had failed in Africa, and the two strongest places in Sicily were
still in the enemy's hands. For six years more the war dragged on
(249-243).

A new Carthaginian commander, HAMILCAR BARCA (Lightning), meanwhile
took the field in Sicily. He was a man of great activity and military
talent, and the Romans at first were no match for him. He seemed in a
fair way to regain all Sicily. The apathy of the Senate was so great,
that at last some private citizens built and manned at their own
expense a fleet of 200 sail.

GAIUS LUTATIUS CATALUS, the Consul in command, surprised the enemy and
occupied the harbors of Drepana and Lilybaeum in 242. A Carthaginian
fleet which came to the rescue was met and destroyed off the AEGÁTES