In 249, he assisted Adherbal during an attempt by the Romans headed by Publius Claudius Pulcher to take Drepana from the sea.
[3] His contribution was recognized for helping force the Romans to abandon the siege despite the superiority of the invading army.
However, the newly appointed Roman dictator Marcus Junius Pera sent a messenger to intercept Carthalo's delegation, telling them to leave by nightfall.
In 209 BC, Carthalo was serving as garrison commander of Tarentum, which had fallen to Hannibal three years earlier, when Fabius Maximus led a Roman force to retake the settlement.
In the ensuing battle, when defeat seemed inevitable, Carthalo laid down his arms with the intention of surrendering to Fabius but was killed before he could make contact.