END OF THE FIRST PUNIC WAR. 127 



fell down upon them with a crash, tore open their 

 decks and grappled them tightly in their iron jaws, 

 forming at the same time a gangway over which the 

 Roman soldiers poured. The sea fight was made 

 a land fight ; and only a few ships with beaks all 

 bent and broken succeeded in making their escape. 

 They entered the harbour of Carthage, their bows 

 covered with skins, the signal of defeat. 



However, by means of skilful manceuvering, the 

 invention of Duilius was made of no avail, and the 

 Carthaginians for many years remained the masters of 

 the sea. Twice the Roman fleet was entirely de- 

 stroyed ; and their treasury was now exhausted. But 

 the undaunted people fitted out a fleet by private 

 subscription, and so rapidly was this done that the 

 trees, as Florus said, were transformed into ships. Two 

 hundred five-deckers were ready before the enemy 

 knew they had begun to build ; and so the Carthaginian 

 fleet was one day surprised by the Romans in no 

 fighting condition, for the vessels were laden to the 

 gunwales with corn, and only sailors were on board ; 

 the whole fleet was taken or sunk, and the war was at 

 an end. Yet, when all was added up, it was found 

 that the Romans had lost two hundred vessels more 

 than the Carthaginians. But Rome, even without 

 large ships, could always reinforce Sicily ; while the 

 Carthaginians, without a full fleet, were completely 

 cut off from the seat of war ; and they were unable to 

 rebuild in the manner of the Romans. 



The war in Sicily had been a drawn game. 

 Hamilcar Barca, although unconquered, received orders 

 to negociate for peace. The Romans demanded a 

 large indemnity to pay for the expenses of the war ; 

 and took the Sicilian settlements which Carthage had 

 held four hundred years. 



