The Naval Battles of the First Punic War

A PRESENTATION BY SPENCER BECKETT AND MATTHEW MCDUFF

AND SEXTUS BECKETT ET MATTHEW MCDUFF PRODUCTIONS

Reasons for the First Punic War

The First Punic War started over a silly dispute the Mamertines had with Syracuse

They had taken over Messana, soon after Hiero of Syracuse attacked and defeated them

When this happened Messana pleaded for help from Carthage and Rome

Reasons for the First Punic War cont.

The First Punic War started over a silly dispute the Mamertines had with Syracuse

They had taken over Messana, soon after Hiero of Syracuse attacked and defeated them

When this happened Messana pleaded for help from Carthage and Rome

Carthage set up a garrison in Sicily and the Mamertines, not expecting that sort of intervention asked for a treaty from the Romans

The Romans knowing this would cause war thought long and hard about their decision before capturing a Carthaginian ship and creating a force of 100 fivers(quinqueremes) and 20 Triemes during the winter of 261 to 0 BC

The First Great Victory in Roman Naval History

The Consuls of Rome during the time of the beginning of the First Punic War(Cornelius Scipio and Duilius) led ships to Messana

Scipio led with 20 ships while Dulius followed closely behind

Soon Scipio got orders to be delivered to the Carthaginian commander

Sadly these orders were leaked and the Carthaginians ambushed and captured Scipio's troops as they landed on Sicilian soil

The First Great Victory in Roman Naval History cont.

As Dulius received news of his co-consuls fate he sent his troops to the north around Sicily (trying to meet with Hannibal)

When he got to Hannibal’s men Hannibal allowed the Carthaginians to break formation being cocky

In doing this the Romans broke the first line of ships with the ingenious invention the Corvus

Once this happened Hannibal escaped on a long boat and the Romans captured 50 Carthaginian ships

The First Great Victory of Rome, pt. 3

In doing this the Romans broke the first line of ships with the ingenious invention the Corvus

Once this happened Hannibal escaped on a long boat and the Romans captured 50 Carthaginian ship

The Battle of Mylae

In 260 the next battle occurred, this was the Battle of Mylae

At the Battle of Mylae 130 Carthage ships faced 103 Roman ships

The Romans were quick and able to take control of 30 Carthaginian ships using their invention the Corvus

The Battle of Mylae cont. In 260 the next battle occurred, this was

the Battle of Mylae At the Battle of Mylae 130 Carthage ships

faced 103 Roman ships The Romans were quick and able to take

control of 30 Carthaginian ships using their invention the Corvus

The Carthaginian ships were forced to try and flank the Roman ships so as not to get caught by their Corvus

They failed and in total the Romans took control of 50 Carthaginian ships winning the battle with only 11 of their own ships lost.

Invasion of Africa

In 256 the biggest battle of the wars came to be in the form of invading Carthage

Carthaginians had the biggest fleet of the war numbering close to 350 ships strong

Rome had 330 ships

Rome eventually won this battle but did not succeed in invading Africa

While returning the Roman consul attempted to intimidate the Carthaginians by sailing west to east on the Sicilian coast, yet a storm came and as much as 3 quarters of the romans ships were lost

The Capturing of Segesta

After his triumph Dulius broke away from following Hannibal to save the city of Segesta from siege

After the saving the city he returned to Italy victorious and the captured Carthaginian ships were put on display in the forum

Oddly enough after returning he was never given another commission

The Battle of the Aegates Islands

In 242 B.C.E. the Romans began to set up a fleet to conquer the Mediterranean

Numbering around 200 quinqueremes the roman fleet was well trained in Roman waters prior to leaving to blockade Lilybaeum

The Carthaginian fleet numbered 250 ships but was lacking in men and the ships were weighed down with resources meant for Lilybaeum

As the Romans got wind of the Carthaginian presence they headed south to meet them in battle

The Battle of the Aegates Islands cont.

On March 10, 241 B.C.E. the Carthaginian’s got a strong wind to carry them into the bay of Lilybaeum

As the wind was in the Carthaginian favor going against the Romans they removed mast and became very agile with only rowers.

Going to towards the Carthaginian fleet they swept them out and it is approximated they lost up to 125 ships to the Roman 30

Ending of the war

The Battle of the Aegates Islands caused the Carthaginians to surrender paying out land and a sizeable amount of money to the Romans

Also promising they would never attack Sicily again

Fin