The Romans besieged the city, but were themselves cut off from supplies by Hanno, who landed at Heraclea in their rear.

Both besieged and besiegers suffered much.

At last a battle was fought (262), in which the Romans were victorious, owing to their superior infantry.

Agrigentum fell, and only a few strongholds on the coast were left to the Carthaginians.
The Romans now began to feel the need of a fleet.

That of Carthage ruled the sea without a rival: it notonly controlled many of the seaports of Sicily, but also threatened Italy itself.