First Punic War (1 Jan 264 Jahr v. Chr. – 1 Jan 241 Jahr v. Chr.)

Beschreibung:

The First Punic War was fought over control of the island of Sicily. The Romans feared the Carthaginians would become too strong on the island. A powerful rival force could control the waters between Sicily and Italy and thus hinder Roman trade in the Mediterranean. Sicily could also become a base for a Carthaginian attack on southern Italy. The only way Rome could stop Carthage was to break its naval supremacy. Roman sailors could not match the experience and skill of the Carthaginians. So Rome developed new tactics for fighting at sea. Up to that time, naval battles were won by ramming and sinking the enemy’s vessels. Rome substituted soldiers for experienced sailors. When an enemy ship came near, a plank was dropped (like a draw- bridge) so that its spiked tip fastened to the deck of the enemy’s ship. Armed Roman soldiers then swarmed across and captured the ship. By this method Rome crippled the navy of Carthage. Carthage sued for peace in 241 BC. Terms of the settlement included Roman control of Sicily and the requirement that Carthage pay for Roman losses.

Zugefügt zum Band der Zeit:

Datum: