Carthage had initially sent an army probably numbering 50,000 men along with 120 triremesCaven, Brian, Dionysius I, pp44 - pp45 to Sicily in 406 BC. The army had suffered casualties at Akragas and Gela, plus the plague had also diminished its ranks. It is not known if Carthage had reinforced Himilco or Sicilians had sent reinforcements, so he could have commanded and army numbering 30,000 – 40,000 souls. The Punic navy was stationed at Motya, far from the area of operation.
