Panormus was taken in 254; the coast of Africa ravaged in 253; Thermae and the island of Lipara were taken in 252, and Eryx in 249.
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.