CONQUEST IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

264-241 BCE

FIRST PUNIC WAR

Causes of the First Punic War

1. Existence of bored and ambitious Roman patricians, looking for military glory and excuses to find it.

2. Rome’s alliances with Greek poleis, Carthage’s chief rivals.

3. Hunger for the spoils of war to which the Romans had become accustomed.

4. Rome’s traditional fear of powerful neighbours and perceived vulnerability.

5. Carthaginian pride, which had to respond to Roman aggression.

6. Carthaginian miscalculation of the potential aggressiveness of Rome.

Early Stages – Mamertine Crisis

We discussed last lesson the Mamertine Appeal and the outbreak of war in Sicily, however, here is a good overview: Syracuse hired the Mamartines, a group of mercenaries from

Campania to help them with conflict in Sicily. Mamertines deserted in 289 and captured Messana. In 265 Hiero King of Syracuse retakes Messana. Fully entrenched, the Mamartines asked for help from a

Carthaginian fleet anchored nearby. Carthaginian army lands and helped in the repulse of Syracusan

attack. Carthaginians subsequently refused to leave Messana, the

Mamartines appealed for help from Rome, thus sparking a fierce debate in the Senate.

Rome agrees to support the Mamertines and help remove the Carthaginian forces from Messana – Rome gains possession of Messana.

Syracuse/Carthage form alliance against Rome but are defeated. Syracuse following defeat allies with Rome and help take control of Sicily – eventually taking the city of Agrigentum in 262 BCE

Rome builds a navy

At the beginning of the First Punic War Rome was without a considerable navy – triremes (three-decked ships).

Roman strategy centred on taking Sicily and removing Carthage. However, they had no navy in support.

Carthaginians took back the coastal cities that Rome had taken with their superior ships (quinquerimes)

The Romans knew that their soldiers were better than the Carthaginians in a hand-to-hand encounter. Rome added two key features to their ships; Grappling hooks to bring ships together, Corvus (drawbridge) boarding device.

Victory at Mylae (260 BCE)

With a new navy and advances in technology (drawbridge and grappling hook) Rome set out to defeat the Carthaginians at sea.

Carthaginians commanded by Hamilcar – approx 130 ships

Rome commanded by Duilius (consul) – approx 120 ships

Rome uses its new technology effectively (hooks, corvus, and drawbridges) to capture 50 Carthaginian ships and win the battle.

Rome gains naval superiority in the First Punic War (but not maintained – Carthage challenges).

Rome invades Africa (255-256 BCE)

Autumn 256, Atilius Regulus leads the Romans in invasion and inflicts a defeat then delays fighting until Spring rather than the optimum winter months.

Carthage beefed up her armies by putting the Greek mercenary Xanthippus in charge of training. He now recruited citizens for the army.

When the Romans attacked in 255, the Carthaginians were ready with phalanx, elephants, and cavalry and massacred the Romans—only 2000 escape.

The survivors were rescued by the blockading Roman fleet and attempted to return to Sicily but 170 ships were lost in a sudden storm.

The Romans gave up the idea of invading Africa and concentrated on Sicily.

Sicily: Romans captured Panormus in 254 and now controlled all Sicily except for Lilybaeum and Drepana in the west.

Hamilcar Barca arrives in Sicily (247 BCE)

Hamilcar Barca (Hannibal’s father) arrives in Sicily as General of Carthaginian military.

Storms destroy Roman fleets and disaster strikes the Roman armies on the battelfield.

Hamilcar is able to make considerable advances against the Romans who look close to defeat.

However, Carthaginian government fails to adequately support Hamilcar Barca, and they cause a stalling of success.

So how does Rome win?

It is in the midst of failure that we are able to see the strong elements of the Roman character—patriotism, fortitude, and steadfast perseverance. 

Rome at this point has lost one-sixth of its population, countless wealth, yet still persisted in its war in Sicily.

Wealthy citizens advanced their money to build a new fleet – 200 ships were built and placed under the consul C. Lutatius Catulus. Naval victory at the Aegates Islands (241 BCE) – Carthage garrison at Lilybaeum surrenders to Rome.

Carthage following defeat at Aegates Islands sue for peace.

Peace and Reparations

The terms of the Treaty of Lutatius designed by the Romans were particularly heavy for Carthage, which had lost bargaining power following its defeat at the Aegates islands. Both sides agreed upon: Carthage evacuates Sicily and small islands west of it (Aegadian

Islands). Carthage returns their prisoners of war without ransom, while

paying heavy ransom on their own. Carthage refrains from attacking Syracuse and her allies. Carthage transfers a group of small islands north of Sicily (Aeolian

Islands and Ustica) to Rome. Carthage evacuates all of the small islands between Sicily and

Africa (Pantelleria, Linosa, Lampedusa, Lampione and Malta). Carthage pays a 2,200 talent (66 tons) of silver indemnity in ten

annual installments, plus an additional indemnity of 1,000 talents (30 tons) immediately.