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251.— Hastlruljal. fidiii Lilyliaeuni, ravages the tountrv almost to the walls of Paiionmis. C'aecilius Metellus, in coniiiiaml here,
awaiting his opportunity, strikes a blow which ends in a brilliant victory for the Romans, who now become masters
of Sicily except for the strip of land between Drepanum and Lilybaeum.
The Carthaginians now propose terms of ))eace, which aie convcyeil from Carthage by M. Rcgulns, who had been
taken prisoner five yeai-s pre\iously. The proposals, however, are rejectcil and the war continued.
Fourth Period.
250.— The consuls for the year, with their armies in 'ido ships, at once make for Lilybaeum, which they invest by laud and sea.
Himilco, conmiauding at Lilybaeum, skilfully frustrates the Roman attempts, and holds out against the Roman
blockade. Hannibal, with reinforcements from Carthage, eludes the blockade ; and again puts out for Urepanum,
which he makes the headtpiarters of the Carthaginian navy.
249. Publius Clauilius, one of the consuls, determines to strike a blow at the Carth.iginian fleet at Drepanum, which was
now under Adherbal. He sees nut from Lilyl)aeum, hoping to surprise the enemy under cover of darkness ; hie
stratagem fails, he is utterly routed and escapes with 30 sliips to Lilybaeum.
The other consul, L. Junius RuUus, with fresh warships and a convoy of provisions for Lilybaeum, is sent out. He
goes to Syracuse, and dividing his fleet, sends one portion ahead along the scmth cojist, and follows with the rest.
Adherbal despatches Carthalo with 3(1 ships to waylay his fleet, ('arthalo first destroys the remains of the Roman
fleet at Lilybaeum, then goes south to Heraclea to await the two detachments of .Junius" fleet. Kach