 At harvest time most of the army was dispersed over a wide area to harvest the crops and to forage.The Carthaginians, commanded by Hannibal Gisco, sortied in force, taking the Romans by surprise and penetrating their camp; the Romans rallied and routed the Carthaginians; after this experience both sides were more guarded.Meanwhile, Carthage had recruited an army, which assembled in Africa and was shipped to Sicily.