The Romans were superior to the Carthaginians on land, but they soon realized that naval supremacy was crucial to success in the war. They built a fleet of vessels based on the design of Carthaginian warships and, after many setbacks, finally managed to drive the Carthaginians out of Sicily. General Hamilcar, who had commanded the Carthaginian stronghold of Eryx, negotiated the peace settlement by which the defeated Carthaginians lost Sicily and paid a heavy indemnity. He led Carthage's compensatory conquest of Spain (237-219 BC).
