aug 18, 262 BC - 262 BC - Carthaginian relief force sent to break the siege of Acragus - 50,000 infantry. 6,000 horse, and 60 elephants under Hanno

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Acragus chosen as Carthaginian headquarters, Romans lay seige for 5 months and the city growing desperate, Carthaginian relief force sent to break the seige consisting of 50,000 infantry. 6,000 horse, and 60 elephants. After small skirmish with Romans, posts up on a hill and does nothing for months. Suspected did not have faith in his mercenaries, ultimately brought to battle and put his elephants behind his men in battle array. When Romans pushed the Carthaginians back, the elephants stampeded and trampled their own men. Route ensued with a lot of men and elephants lost, along with baggage train. Commander of Carthaginian garrison in Acragus realizes he needs to try to break out, sneaks out and fills an area of the trenches with straw or earth the night after the battle, escapes with his men while Acragus was left to its fate. Rome stormed the city and sold 25,000 of its inhabitants into slavery. Hanno recalled to Carthage, stripped of his command and civil rights, and fined 6,000 gold pieces

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