Set before your eyes the islands aegates and Eryx, all that for twenty-four years ye have suffered by land and sea.
"The History of Rome; Books Nine to Twenty-Six"
Titus Livius
It was discovered from the prisoners that, besides the twenty ships, to which fleet they belonged, and which had been despatched against Italy, thirty-five other quinqueremes were directing their course to Sicily, in order to gain over their ancient allies: that their main object was to gain possession of Lilybaeum, and they believed that that fleet had been driven to the islands aegates by the same storm by which they themselves had been dispersed.
"The History of Rome; Books Nine to Twenty-Six"
Titus Livius
Now when the tumult in the city was allayed, an additional letter was brought from Sicily, from Titus Otacilius, the propraetor, stating, "that the kingdom of Hiero was being devastated by the Carthaginian fleet: and that, being desirous of affording him the assistance he implored, he received intelligence that another Carthaginian fleet was stationed at the aegates, equipped and prepared; in order that when the Carthaginians had perceived that he was gone away to protect the coast of Syracuse, they might immediately attack Lilybaeum and other parts of the Roman province; that he therefore needed a fleet, if they wished him to protect the king their ally, and Sicily."
"The History of Rome; Books Nine to Twenty-Six"
Titus Livius