The ninth part of First Punic War

Ruins of Punic Quarter on the Byrsa Hill in Carthage

In 250 BC after agreed on peace cities, which lied on the northwest of Sicily Roman republic sent next expedition to the southwest. Roman’s army went to the biggest city on west coast that was to say-Lilybaeum, but at first soldiers had to seized two outposts of Carthaginian army ,which lied on southwest coast-Selinous and Heraclea Minoa. These two towns was burnt in 250 BC by Roman’s legion but all campaign didn’t result huge success because soldiers even didn’t reach the Lilybaeum. However this operation showed ,that Carthaginian could lose all Sicily because they didn’t send any units to their army on this island for one year. At least Carthaginians had very good fleet thanks to which they won small naval battle near Drapana in 249 BC. After that Roman’s army made next counter-attack obviously from land, they attacked Lilybaeum and small camp of Carthaginians soldiers, which was called Eryx. Situation for Carthage was very difficult so they sent one of the best generals from their army on the Sicily- Hamilcar Barca. His army landed at Heirkte near the Panormus, what was huge surprise for Romans because he got on their territory. Hamilcar wanted drag Roman’s legions away from the Carthaginian port Drapana in order to this city didn’t give up because city was being seized by a few months. After that small units from Hamilcar’s army started attack on soldiers from Rome, it was normally guerrilla, which very swiftly killed almost half of Roman’s army, what was a big success for Carthaginians, who didn’t allow on take Drapana.