Carthage has no ships to speak of…
244 BCE
Carthage has no ships to speak of in Sicily by 244 BCE, when Hamilcar transfers his army at night by sea to a similar position on the slopes of Mt.
Eryx (Monte San Giuliano), from which he is able to lend support to the besieged garrison in the neighboring town of Drepanum (Trapani).
Hamilcar has seized a position between Roman forces stationed in the summit and their camp at the base, but continues his activities unhindered.
He manages to foil a plan by his Celtic mercenaries to betray his position to the Romans.
During one of the raids, when troops under a subordinate commander named “Boaster” engage in plunder against the orders of Hamilcar and suffer severe casualties when the Romans catch them, Hamilcar requests a truce to bury his dead.
The Roman consul arrogantly replies that Hamilcar should request a truce to save his living and denies the request.
Hamilcar manages to inflict severe casualties on the Romans soon after, and when the Roman consul requests a truce to bury his dead, Hamilcar replies that his quarrel is with the living only and the dead had already settled their dues, and grants the truce.