The siege bogged down to a stalemate with the Romans unable to force their way into the city or keep their blockade tight enough to stop supplies reaching the defenders, and the Syracusans unable to force the Romans to withdraw.
 The Carthaginians realised the potential hindrance a continuing Syracusan defence could cause to the Roman war effort and attempted to relieve the city from the besiegers but were driven back.
Though they planned another attempt, they could not afford the necessary troops and ships with the ongoing war against the Romans in Hispania, and the Syracusans were on their own.
However, they were successful in resupplying the city, while their land forces under Himilco were able to capture several Sicilian cities, including the old Carthaginian stronghold of Agrigentum, due to the Roman preoccupation with the siege.
The siege bogged down to a stalemate with the Romans unable to force their way into the city or keep their blockade tight enough to stop supplies reaching the defenders, and the Syracusans unable to force the Romans to withdraw.  The Carthaginians realised the potential hindrance a continuing Syracusan defence could cause to the Roman war effort and attempted to relieve the city from the besiegers but were driven back. Though they planned another attempt, they could not afford the necessary troops and ships with the ongoing war against the Romans in Hispania, and the Syracusans were on their own. However, they were successful in resupplying the city, while their land forces under Himilco were able to capture several Sicilian cities, including the old Carthaginian stronghold of Agrigentum, due to the Roman preoccupation with the siege.
Siege of Syracuse (213–212 BC)