Hamilcar raids Locri and Brindisi in 247 BCE, and upon his return he seizes a strong position on Mount Ercte (Monte Pellegrino, near Palermo, or Mt.

Castellacio, seven miles northwest of Palermo), and not only maintains himself against all attacks, but carries on with his raids from Catana in Sicily to far as Cumae in central Italy.

He also sets about improving the spirit of the army, and succeeds in creating a highly disciplined, versatile force.

While Hamilcar wins no large scale battle or recaptures cities lost to the Romans, his Carthaginians wage a relentless campaign against the Roman land forces, and their efforts are a constant and heavy drain on Roman resources.