The siege and conquer of Lilybaeum is said to be noted for being one the final battles in the First Punic War. Founded by Himilco in 396 BC by the survivors of the nearby Phonecian island of Motya (a city having been destroyed by the tyrant Dionysius of Syracuse), Lilybaeum, modern day Marsala, became a principal stronghold of the Carthaginians in Sicily. Under the consul Gaius Lutatius Catulus who was assisted by the praetor Quintus Valerius Falto, a fleet of approximately 200 quinqueremes arrived at Lilybaeum to blockade its harbor and place the city under siege in 242 BC. This was intended to cut the supplies and communications of Hamilcar Barca's so that the Carthaginians sent a fleet of 250 warships under Hanno to break the blockade. Waiting
