Editing Hamilcar Barca (section)

==== Roman response: privately funded fleet ====
The [[Roman Republic]] was nearly bankrupt and had to borrow money from wealthy citizens to fund the construction of a fleet of 200 [[quinqueremes]], which blockaded Carthaginian positions in Sicily in 242 BC by seizing the harbour of Drepana and anchorages at Lilybaeum, while Roman soldiers built [[siege works]] around Drepanum.<ref>Polybius 1.59.9–10</ref> The better-trained Roman fleet<ref>Polybius 1.59.9–12</ref> defeated a hastily raised, undermanned and ill-trained Punic fleet at [[battle of the Aegates Islands]] in 241 BC, cutting Sicily off from Carthage. Carthaginian leadership requested terms to the victorious Roman commander, [[Gaius Lutatius Catulus]] and authorised Hamilcar Barca to open negotiations, probably to avoid the responsibility of the defeat. Hamilcar in turn nominated Gisco,<ref>Diodorus Siculus 24.13, Polybius 1.66.1</ref> the Carthaginian commander of [[Lilybaeum]], to conduct the talks. Carthage often hauled defeated generals and admirals before the Tribunal of 100 and had them crucified, so Hamilcar probably distanced himself from the possibility of prosecution if the Roman terms turned out to be harsh enough for Carthaginian authorities to seek a scapegoat.<ref>Lazenby, John F. ''The First Punic War'', p. 157</ref>