Fleets were not yet in those times of the infancy of navigation a permanent heirloom of nations, but could be fitted out wherever there were trees, iron, and water.

It was clear, and had been several times tested in Africa itself, that even powerful maritime states were not able to prevent enemies weaker by sea from landing.

When Agathocles had shown the way thither, a Roman general could follow the same course; and while in Italy the entrance of an invading army simply began the war, the same event in Libya put an end to it by converting it into a siege, in which, unless special accidents should intervene, even the most obstinate and heroic courage must finally succumb.
Notes for Chapter I 1.II.IV.Victories of Salamis and Himera, and Their Effects 2.

I.X.Phoenicians and Italians in Opposition to the Hellenes 3.

The most precise description of this important class occurs in the Carthaginian treaty (Polyb.vii.