 The Carthaginians sent forces to Hiero II, the military leader of the Greek city-states.The Romans fought for the Mamertines of Messina and, Rome and Carthage declared war on each other for the control of Sicily.This led to a war based mainly on the water, which served as an advantage to the Carthaginians, as they were led by Hamilcar, a general who earned his surname Barca (meaning lightning) due to his fast attacks on Roman supply lines.