Roman History 04 - The Punic Wars 1 - 300 - 225 BC

[Music] [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 19 Prelude to the first Rome episode 19 Prelude to the first Rome episode 19 Prelude to the first Punic Punic Punic War when we last left the Romans they War when we last left the Romans they War when we last left the Romans they had driven King purus back to Greece and had driven King purus back to Greece and had driven King purus back to Greece and secured complete control of the Italian secured complete control of the Italian secured complete control of the Italian Peninsula as you may recall purus Peninsula as you may recall purus Peninsula as you may recall purus exhausted from his battles with the exhausted from his battles with the exhausted from his battles with the Romans had briefly moved his army to Romans had briefly moved his army to Romans had briefly moved his army to Sicily where he attempted to establish a Sicily where he attempted to establish a Sicily where he attempted to establish a kingdom for himself he found allies kingdom for himself he found allies kingdom for himself he found allies among the Greek colonies on the eastern among the Greek colonies on the eastern among the Greek colonies on the eastern half of the island but found enemies half of the island but found enemies half of the island but found enemies amongst the carthaginians who had amongst the carthaginians who had amongst the carthaginians who had settled the Western half purus had been settled the Western half purus had been settled the Western half purus had been successful in Sicily but was never able successful in Sicily but was never able successful in Sicily but was never able to completely dislodge the carthaginians to completely dislodge the carthaginians to completely dislodge the carthaginians from the island he had every intention from the island he had every intention from the island he had every intention of widening his War by invading Africa of widening his War by invading Africa of widening his War by invading Africa but a near Revolt by his Sicilian Greek but a near Revolt by his Sicilian Greek but a near Revolt by his Sicilian Greek allies caused him to instead abandon allies caused him to instead abandon allies caused him to instead abandon Sicily altogether Sicily altogether Sicily altogether as he sailed away purus made a precient as he sailed away purus made a precient as he sailed away purus made a precient comment the veracity of which is dubious comment the veracity of which is dubious comment the veracity of which is dubious like every other direct quote from the like every other direct quote from the like every other direct quote from the ancient world but it's worth ancient world but it's worth ancient world but it's worth relaying the Greek king a veteran of the relaying the Greek king a veteran of the relaying the Greek king a veteran of the post alexandrian dynastic struggles of post alexandrian dynastic struggles of post alexandrian dynastic struggles of the Eastern Mediterranean knew an the Eastern Mediterranean knew an the Eastern Mediterranean knew an inevitable great power confrontation inevitable great power confrontation inevitable great power confrontation when he saw one Sicily lay equidistant when he saw one Sicily lay equidistant when he saw one Sicily lay equidistant between Rome and Carthage and was too between Rome and Carthage and was too between Rome and Carthage and was too rich not to be coveted by both so while rich not to be coveted by both so while rich not to be coveted by both so while watching the island recede in the watching the island recede in the watching the island recede in the distance he said said what a field we distance he said said what a field we distance he said said what a field we are leaving for the Romans and are leaving for the Romans and are leaving for the Romans and carthaginians to exercise their carthaginians to exercise their carthaginians to exercise their arms 10 years after sailing from Italy

arms 10 years after sailing from Italy arms 10 years after sailing from Italy for good pius's prediction bore out and for good pius's prediction bore out and for good pius's prediction bore out and the two great Powers Rome and Carthage the two great Powers Rome and Carthage the two great Powers Rome and Carthage were at war in were at war in were at war in Sicily but before we get too far into Sicily but before we get too far into Sicily but before we get too far into this we should address the question of this we should address the question of this we should address the question of who the carthaginians were and why we who the carthaginians were and why we who the carthaginians were and why we call their long struggle with Rome the call their long struggle with Rome the call their long struggle with Rome the Punic Wars and not something easier to Punic Wars and not something easier to Punic Wars and not something easier to remember like I don't know the remember like I don't know the remember like I don't know the carthaginian wars like we do with the carthaginian wars like we do with the carthaginian wars like we do with the samite wars and the Latin War and the samite wars and the Latin War and the samite wars and the Latin War and the Macedonian Wars which you can tell just Macedonian Wars which you can tell just Macedonian Wars which you can tell just by looking at the name were fought by looking at the name were fought by looking at the name were fought against the samnites and the Latins and against the samnites and the Latins and against the samnites and the Latins and the the the macedonians to start with the obvious macedonians to start with the obvious macedonians to start with the obvious the carthaginians come from Carthage a the carthaginians come from Carthage a the carthaginians come from Carthage a city on the North coast of Africa near city on the North coast of Africa near city on the North coast of Africa near modern day modern day modern day Tunis they were primarily a trade-based Tunis they were primarily a trade-based Tunis they were primarily a trade-based Empire and by the time the Punic Wars Empire and by the time the Punic Wars Empire and by the time the Punic Wars rolled around they were the leading rolled around they were the leading rolled around they were the leading economic power in the Western economic power in the Western economic power in the Western Mediterranean Carthage was founded Mediterranean Carthage was founded Mediterranean Carthage was founded around 800 BC by Phoenician settlers the around 800 BC by Phoenician settlers the around 800 BC by Phoenician settlers the word Punic is a derivative of the Latin word Punic is a derivative of the Latin word Punic is a derivative of the Latin word for Phoenician and it's what the word for Phoenician and it's what the word for Phoenician and it's what the Romans themselves called the Romans themselves called the Romans themselves called the carthaginians so today we learn about carthaginians so today we learn about carthaginians so today we learn about the Punic Wars rather than the the Punic Wars rather than the the Punic Wars rather than the carthaginian carthaginian carthaginian wars the Phoenicians were the strongest wars the Phoenicians were the strongest wars the Phoenicians were the strongest Maritime power of their day and are Maritime power of their day and are Maritime power of their day and are remembered most of all for providing one remembered most of all for providing one remembered most of all for providing one of the first written alphabets in of the first written alphabets in of the first written alphabets in history they spread their influence history they spread their influence history they spread their influence across the Mediterranean by establishing across the Mediterranean by establishing across the Mediterranean by establishing a series of autonomous colonies from a series of autonomous colonies from a series of autonomous colonies from Modern Lebanon to The Straits of Modern Lebanon to The Straits of Modern Lebanon to The Straits of jalter any sense of political solidarity jalter any sense of political solidarity jalter any sense of political solidarity between the new cities quickly vanished between the new cities quickly vanished between the new cities quickly vanished but economically they form the backbone

but economically they form the backbone but economically they form the backbone of a new transm Mediterranean Trade of a new transm Mediterranean Trade of a new transm Mediterranean Trade Network that persists even to this day Network that persists even to this day Network that persists even to this day in the Western Mediterranean Carthage in the Western Mediterranean Carthage in the Western Mediterranean Carthage soon became the richest city owing to soon became the richest city owing to soon became the richest city owing to its favorable Geographic position its favorable Geographic position its favorable Geographic position located along the narrow straight located along the narrow straight located along the narrow straight between Africa and between Africa and between Africa and Sicily essentially to get from here to Sicily essentially to get from here to Sicily essentially to get from here to there in the Mediterranean you had to there in the Mediterranean you had to there in the Mediterranean you had to sail right by Carthage so it quickly sail right by Carthage so it quickly sail right by Carthage so it quickly became a hub of commercial activity and became a hub of commercial activity and became a hub of commercial activity and rich as a rich as a rich as a result politically the carthaginian result politically the carthaginian result politically the carthaginian government was a mixed government was a mixed government was a mixed oligarchy there was a people's assembly oligarchy there was a people's assembly oligarchy there was a people's assembly but it was mostly ceremonial and rarely but it was mostly ceremonial and rarely but it was mostly ceremonial and rarely called upon to make important decisions called upon to make important decisions called upon to make important decisions the real power lay in the Senate a body the real power lay in the Senate a body the real power lay in the Senate a body made up of the richest families in made up of the richest families in made up of the richest families in Carthage and the real real power lay Carthage and the real real power lay Carthage and the real real power lay with a council of a 100 within the with a council of a 100 within the with a council of a 100 within the Senate made up of the richest and most Senate made up of the richest and most Senate made up of the richest and most distinguished distinguished distinguished Senators the Senate elected the chief Senators the Senate elected the chief Senators the Senate elected the chief executive of Carthage the suffit who executive of Carthage the suffit who executive of Carthage the suffit who served annually with minimal constraints served annually with minimal constraints served annually with minimal constraints on power the only aspect of carthaginian on power the only aspect of carthaginian on power the only aspect of carthaginian life the suffet did not control was life the suffet did not control was life the suffet did not control was interestingly the Army which was left to interestingly the Army which was left to interestingly the Army which was left to a professional Corp of generals this is a professional Corp of generals this is a professional Corp of generals this is obviously a marked contrast to the obviously a marked contrast to the obviously a marked contrast to the Romans who elected their Executives Romans who elected their Executives Romans who elected their Executives primarily to lead their armies with primarily to lead their armies with primarily to lead their armies with every other function serving almost as every other function serving almost as every other function serving almost as an an an afterthought afterthought afterthought the other major contrast between the the other major contrast between the the other major contrast between the Romans and carthaginians politically was Romans and carthaginians politically was Romans and carthaginians politically was that the carthaginians did not suffer that the carthaginians did not suffer that the carthaginians did not suffer the kind of class conflict that forever the kind of class conflict that forever the kind of class conflict that forever plagued plagued plagued Rome access to the aristocracy and

Rome access to the aristocracy and Rome access to the aristocracy and therefore power was based entirely on therefore power was based entirely on therefore power was based entirely on wealth this makes sense given the wealth this makes sense given the wealth this makes sense given the primarily commercial focus of their primarily commercial focus of their primarily commercial focus of their empire if you were poor and made empire if you were poor and made empire if you were poor and made yourself rich you were invited into the yourself rich you were invited into the yourself rich you were invited into the Senate and if you were rich and lost all Senate and if you were rich and lost all Senate and if you were rich and lost all your money you were kicked out it was your money you were kicked out it was your money you were kicked out it was pretty pretty much that simple it is for pretty pretty much that simple it is for pretty pretty much that simple it is for this reason that the people's assembly this reason that the people's assembly this reason that the people's assembly in Carthage did not have nearly the in Carthage did not have nearly the in Carthage did not have nearly the clout that its quary in Rome did there clout that its quary in Rome did there clout that its quary in Rome did there was no lingering discrimination of New was no lingering discrimination of New was no lingering discrimination of New Wealth by old families so there was no Wealth by old families so there was no Wealth by old families so there was no real sense of disenfranchisement by men real sense of disenfranchisement by men real sense of disenfranchisement by men with money who would have otherwise with money who would have otherwise with money who would have otherwise driven Democratic political driven Democratic political driven Democratic political reform the way to get ahead in Carthage reform the way to get ahead in Carthage reform the way to get ahead in Carthage was to make money nobody cared if you was to make money nobody cared if you was to make money nobody cared if you made it last week or 10 Generations back made it last week or 10 Generations back made it last week or 10 Generations back and if you didn't have money there and if you didn't have money there and if you didn't have money there wasn't a whole lot you could do to wasn't a whole lot you could do to wasn't a whole lot you could do to change the change the change the system all of this contrasted with the system all of this contrasted with the system all of this contrasted with the political History of Rome and it left political History of Rome and it left political History of Rome and it left the two empires with very different the two empires with very different the two empires with very different worldviews but this contrast was nothing worldviews but this contrast was nothing worldviews but this contrast was nothing compared to their views on the role of compared to their views on the role of compared to their views on the role of the Armed the Armed the Armed Forces the Roman Legions were made of Forces the Roman Legions were made of Forces the Roman Legions were made of Roman citizens and led by Roman citizens Roman citizens and led by Roman citizens Roman citizens and led by Roman citizens military service was obligatory in Rome military service was obligatory in Rome military service was obligatory in Rome and the most important contribution to and the most important contribution to and the most important contribution to Civil Society a citizen could make Civil Society a citizen could make Civil Society a citizen could make Carthage however had no such tradition Carthage however had no such tradition Carthage however had no such tradition LED primarily by businessmen and not LED primarily by businessmen and not LED primarily by businessmen and not Warriors the carthaginians contracted Warriors the carthaginians contracted Warriors the carthaginians contracted out the work and hired mercenaries to out the work and hired mercenaries to out the work and hired mercenaries to fight their Wars for them there was a fight their Wars for them there was a fight their Wars for them there was a small contingent of professional small contingent of professional small contingent of professional carthaginian soldiers who led the Army

carthaginian soldiers who led the Army carthaginian soldiers who led the Army but the actual fighting was done by but the actual fighting was done by but the actual fighting was done by numidian Cavalry Spanish infantry and numidian Cavalry Spanish infantry and numidian Cavalry Spanish infantry and baleric Slingers all paid for out of the baleric Slingers all paid for out of the baleric Slingers all paid for out of the great carthaginian great carthaginian great carthaginian treasury there are more than a few who treasury there are more than a few who treasury there are more than a few who argue that the distinction between the argue that the distinction between the argue that the distinction between the citizen Army of Rome and the mercenary citizen Army of Rome and the mercenary citizen Army of Rome and the mercenary Army of Carthage was the deciding factor Army of Carthage was the deciding factor Army of Carthage was the deciding factor in the wars between these two otherwise in the wars between these two otherwise in the wars between these two otherwise equal Powers this is probably an overs equal Powers this is probably an overs equal Powers this is probably an overs simplification but the distinction simplification but the distinction simplification but the distinction should be kept in mind as we go should be kept in mind as we go should be kept in mind as we go forward now historians hate to talk forward now historians hate to talk forward now historians hate to talk about inevitabilities and consider it an about inevitabilities and consider it an about inevitabilities and consider it an insult when anyone starts talking about insult when anyone starts talking about insult when anyone starts talking about how this or that historical event was how this or that historical event was how this or that historical event was destined to occur and the Punic Wars are destined to occur and the Punic Wars are destined to occur and the Punic Wars are no no no different it is easy to say in passing different it is easy to say in passing different it is easy to say in passing that the conflict between Rome and that the conflict between Rome and that the conflict between Rome and Carthage was inevitable and simply move Carthage was inevitable and simply move Carthage was inevitable and simply move on but things are never so on but things are never so on but things are never so easy there are many many steps on the easy there are many many steps on the easy there are many many steps on the path to war and if either Rome or path to war and if either Rome or path to war and if either Rome or Carthage had acted differently at any Carthage had acted differently at any Carthage had acted differently at any one of those steps they may have indeed one of those steps they may have indeed one of those steps they may have indeed avoided the armed conflict that avoided the armed conflict that avoided the armed conflict that embroiled them for so long but in the embroiled them for so long but in the embroiled them for so long but in the end come on let's face it a war between end come on let's face it a war between end come on let's face it a war between them was inevitable they were twoo them was inevitable they were twoo them was inevitable they were twoo economic and political powerhouses whose economic and political powerhouses whose economic and political powerhouses whose territorial boundaries bordered one territorial boundaries bordered one territorial boundaries bordered one another what did you think was going to another what did you think was going to another what did you think was going to happen happen happen happen when purus was driven from Italy happen when purus was driven from Italy happen when purus was driven from Italy and the Romans finally held the and the Romans finally held the and the Romans finally held the peninsula free and clear the countdown peninsula free and clear the countdown peninsula free and clear the countdown was on for a war between Rome and was on for a war between Rome and was on for a war between Rome and Carthage the only thing missing was a Carthage the only thing missing was a Carthage the only thing missing was a catalyst that minor event in that

catalyst that minor event in that catalyst that minor event in that insignificant place that has been insignificant place that has been insignificant place that has been starting great power Wars for Millennia starting great power Wars for Millennia starting great power Wars for Millennia from the Revolt in epidamnus to the from the Revolt in epidamnus to the from the Revolt in epidamnus to the assassination of arch Duke Ferdinand in assassination of arch Duke Ferdinand in assassination of arch Duke Ferdinand in Saro in the case of the Punic Wars it Saro in the case of the Punic Wars it Saro in the case of the Punic Wars it was the situation in the small Sicilian was the situation in the small Sicilian was the situation in the small Sicilian city of mas present day MSA that sealed city of mas present day MSA that sealed city of mas present day MSA that sealed the the the deal the backstory to that situation is deal the backstory to that situation is deal the backstory to that situation is that a group of mercenaries from that a group of mercenaries from that a group of mercenaries from compania called the mamertines had been compania called the mamertines had been compania called the mamertines had been hired by agathocles the king of Syracuse hired by agathocles the king of Syracuse hired by agathocles the king of Syracuse to fight his war with the carthaginians to fight his war with the carthaginians to fight his war with the carthaginians for control of Sicily between 315 and for control of Sicily between 315 and for control of Sicily between 315 and 305 305 305 BC a stalemate piece had been reached by BC a stalemate piece had been reached by BC a stalemate piece had been reached by 300 that divided the island between 300 that divided the island between 300 that divided the island between Greek and carthaginian interest with Greek and carthaginian interest with Greek and carthaginian interest with sauna seated to Carthage when agathocles sauna seated to Carthage when agathocles sauna seated to Carthage when agathocles died in 289 BC his Italian mercenaries died in 289 BC his Italian mercenaries died in 289 BC his Italian mercenaries were left unpaid and unemployed never a were left unpaid and unemployed never a were left unpaid and unemployed never a good combination The Mercenaries took a good combination The Mercenaries took a good combination The Mercenaries took a shine to masana and decided to seize shine to masana and decided to seize shine to masana and decided to seize control of the city for themselves and control of the city for themselves and control of the city for themselves and see if anyone would stop them Mas lay on see if anyone would stop them Mas lay on see if anyone would stop them Mas lay on the east coast of the island and the the east coast of the island and the the east coast of the island and the carthaginian Garrison was not large or carthaginian Garrison was not large or carthaginian Garrison was not large or easily supplied so when the mamertines easily supplied so when the mamertines easily supplied so when the mamertines overran the city the carthaginians could overran the city the carthaginians could overran the city the carthaginians could only watch help only watch help only watch help LLY the mamertines held the city for a LLY the mamertines held the city for a LLY the mamertines held the city for a decade or so living fat off the land but decade or so living fat off the land but decade or so living fat off the land but knowing they were in a precarious knowing they were in a precarious knowing they were in a precarious situation joined in the call for purus situation joined in the call for purus situation joined in the call for purus to come to the island and drive the to come to the island and drive the to come to the island and drive the carthaginians out once and for all in carthaginians out once and for all in carthaginians out once and for all in 278

278 278 BC when the Greek King's rule began to BC when the Greek King's rule began to BC when the Greek King's rule began to wkak of tyranny the mamertines then wkak of tyranny the mamertines then wkak of tyranny the mamertines then joined in the subsequent call for purus joined in the subsequent call for purus joined in the subsequent call for purus to please go back where he came from to please go back where he came from to please go back where he came from over the course of the next decade the over the course of the next decade the over the course of the next decade the major shift in Sicilian power Poli major shift in Sicilian power Poli major shift in Sicilian power Poli politics was the rise of hyro in politics was the rise of hyro in politics was the rise of hyro in Syracuse and his ambition to control the Syracuse and his ambition to control the Syracuse and his ambition to control the whole island in the department of whole island in the department of whole island in the department of strange bedfellows the rise of hyro strange bedfellows the rise of hyro strange bedfellows the rise of hyro threatened both the mamertines and the threatened both the mamertines and the threatened both the mamertines and the carthaginians so in 265 BC the carthaginians so in 265 BC the carthaginians so in 265 BC the mamertines formerly requested a mamertines formerly requested a mamertines formerly requested a carthaginian Garrison for their City to carthaginian Garrison for their City to carthaginian Garrison for their City to help them fight off hero and the request help them fight off hero and the request help them fight off hero and the request was granted but the mamertines was granted but the mamertines was granted but the mamertines apparently the most fickle ruling class apparently the most fickle ruling class apparently the most fickle ruling class in history immediately regretted in history immediately regretted in history immediately regretted inviting the carthaginians in and cast inviting the carthaginians in and cast inviting the carthaginians in and cast about for someone to help them drive out about for someone to help them drive out about for someone to help them drive out their new allies there was no one in their new allies there was no one in their new allies there was no one in Sicily who could help them so the Sicily who could help them so the Sicily who could help them so the mamertines looked back to their Homeland mamertines looked back to their Homeland mamertines looked back to their Homeland and requested aid from the greatest and requested aid from the greatest and requested aid from the greatest power of all power of all power of all Rome the Romans were divided on how to Rome the Romans were divided on how to Rome the Romans were divided on how to react there were moral as well as react there were moral as well as react there were moral as well as practical reasons to deny the request practical reasons to deny the request practical reasons to deny the request Arguments for and against the idea were Arguments for and against the idea were Arguments for and against the idea were raised was support for Aid coming from raised was support for Aid coming from raised was support for Aid coming from backers of the claudi family who backers of the claudi family who backers of the claudi family who coincidentally held land and Power in coincidentally held land and Power in coincidentally held land and Power in the South and arguments against the idea the South and arguments against the idea the South and arguments against the idea coming from supporters of the fabii coming from supporters of the fabii coming from supporters of the fabii family who argued Rome should expand family who argued Rome should expand family who argued Rome should expand North where they again coincidentally North where they again coincidentally North where they again coincidentally held the majority of the land in power held the majority of the land in power held the majority of the land in power this did not detract from the arguments this did not detract from the arguments this did not detract from the arguments themselves it is just interesting to

themselves it is just interesting to themselves it is just interesting to note who embraced what argument and note who embraced what argument and note who embraced what argument and why the fabii were quick to point out why the fabii were quick to point out why the fabii were quick to point out two important reasons for denying Aid two important reasons for denying Aid two important reasons for denying Aid one moral and one one moral and one one moral and one practical morally they reminded the practical morally they reminded the practical morally they reminded the Senate of the recent seizure of regium Senate of the recent seizure of regium Senate of the recent seizure of regium by legionnaires just a few years before by legionnaires just a few years before by legionnaires just a few years before in the aftermath of the pur Wars a group in the aftermath of the pur Wars a group in the aftermath of the pur Wars a group of Roman soldiers had taken control of of Roman soldiers had taken control of of Roman soldiers had taken control of the Greek city which lay in the extreme the Greek city which lay in the extreme the Greek city which lay in the extreme toe of Italy and declared themselves toe of Italy and declared themselves toe of Italy and declared themselves autonomous autonomous autonomous oligarchs the Romans had taken a dim oligarchs the Romans had taken a dim oligarchs the Romans had taken a dim view of this at the time and in 270 BC view of this at the time and in 270 BC view of this at the time and in 270 BC retook regium marching the rebels back retook regium marching the rebels back retook regium marching the rebels back to Rome and beheading them in full view to Rome and beheading them in full view to Rome and beheading them in full view of the of the of the public the fabii argued that for Rome to public the fabii argued that for Rome to public the fabii argued that for Rome to now come to the aid of a group who so now come to the aid of a group who so now come to the aid of a group who so closely mirrored the group from regium closely mirrored the group from regium closely mirrored the group from regium would show the Romans to be abject would show the Romans to be abject would show the Romans to be abject Hypocrites the second Point as succinct Hypocrites the second Point as succinct Hypocrites the second Point as succinct as it was practical went like this as it was practical went like this as it was practical went like this helping the mamertines meant fighting helping the mamertines meant fighting helping the mamertines meant fighting the carthaginians and fighting the the carthaginians and fighting the the carthaginians and fighting the carthaginians was a really really bad carthaginians was a really really bad carthaginians was a really really bad idea the claudi however argued that the idea the claudi however argued that the idea the claudi however argued that the carthaginians were already pressing at carthaginians were already pressing at carthaginians were already pressing at Rome's doorstep having taken up Rome's doorstep having taken up Rome's doorstep having taken up positions in Sicily and Sardinia and positions in Sicily and Sardinia and positions in Sicily and Sardinia and Corsica the large Islands laying off the Corsica the large Islands laying off the Corsica the large Islands laying off the Italian Coast if Rome did not do Italian Coast if Rome did not do Italian Coast if Rome did not do something soon to head off the something soon to head off the something soon to head off the carthaginians Rome would find itself and carthaginians Rome would find itself and carthaginians Rome would find itself and its Italian Empire surrounded by the its Italian Empire surrounded by the its Italian Empire surrounded by the more powerful more powerful more powerful carthaginians the time to act was now carthaginians the time to act was now carthaginians the time to act was now before Carthage solidified its before Carthage solidified its before Carthage solidified its position the immediate strategic

position the immediate strategic position the immediate strategic importance of controlling Masa and thus importance of controlling Masa and thus importance of controlling Masa and thus the Straits between Italy and Sicily was the Straits between Italy and Sicily was the Straits between Italy and Sicily was obvious but the larger strategic obvious but the larger strategic obvious but the larger strategic imperative of checking carthaginian imperative of checking carthaginian imperative of checking carthaginian encroachment was just as encroachment was just as encroachment was just as important plus they said the important plus they said the important plus they said the carthaginians were so bogged down trying carthaginians were so bogged down trying carthaginians were so bogged down trying to pacify Spain that they probably would to pacify Spain that they probably would to pacify Spain that they probably would not even react to a Roman foray into not even react to a Roman foray into not even react to a Roman foray into Sicily on this last count they were Sicily on this last count they were Sicily on this last count they were completely mistaken but in the end the completely mistaken but in the end the completely mistaken but in the end the claudi filling the Senate with visions claudi filling the Senate with visions claudi filling the Senate with visions of an easy Victory and irresistible of an easy Victory and irresistible of an easy Victory and irresistible Roman expansion carried the Roman expansion carried the Roman expansion carried the day the Senate ordered one of the day the Senate ordered one of the day the Senate ordered one of the consules for the year appus Claudius yes consules for the year appus Claudius yes consules for the year appus Claudius yes another appius Claudius to raise two another appius Claudius to raise two another appius Claudius to raise two Legions and sail for Sicily but Claudius Legions and sail for Sicily but Claudius Legions and sail for Sicily but Claudius recognizing that time was of the essence recognizing that time was of the essence recognizing that time was of the essence dispatched one of his cousins to dispatched one of his cousins to dispatched one of his cousins to immediately secure passage for a smaller immediately secure passage for a smaller immediately secure passage for a smaller force on Greek ships chartered from force on Greek ships chartered from force on Greek ships chartered from tantum this smaller Force could set out tantum this smaller Force could set out tantum this smaller Force could set out at once for mas and with a little luck at once for mas and with a little luck at once for mas and with a little luck secure the city before the carthaginians secure the city before the carthaginians secure the city before the carthaginians knew what had knew what had knew what had occurred once Masa was in Roman hands occurred once Masa was in Roman hands occurred once Masa was in Roman hands the consul Claudius would follow with the consul Claudius would follow with the consul Claudius would follow with the two full Legions and relieve the the two full Legions and relieve the the two full Legions and relieve the expeditionary Force expeditionary Force expeditionary Force this Advanced Roman Brigade landed in this Advanced Roman Brigade landed in this Advanced Roman Brigade landed in Sicily without a hitch and marched to Sicily without a hitch and marched to Sicily without a hitch and marched to the Mam's the Mam's the Mam's Aid upon hearing the news that the Roman Aid upon hearing the news that the Roman Aid upon hearing the news that the Roman army was at the gates the commander of army was at the gates the commander of army was at the gates the commander of the carthaginian Garrison immediately the carthaginian Garrison immediately the carthaginian Garrison immediately began to make preparations for a fight began to make preparations for a fight began to make preparations for a fight but seeing the mamertines welcomed the but seeing the mamertines welcomed the but seeing the mamertines welcomed the Romans with open arms realized he was in

Romans with open arms realized he was in Romans with open arms realized he was in it in a bad way and withdrew from the it in a bad way and withdrew from the it in a bad way and withdrew from the city the conquest of mas had thus been a city the conquest of mas had thus been a city the conquest of mas had thus been a bloodless Affair but the ease of victory bloodless Affair but the ease of victory bloodless Affair but the ease of victory for the r rans was almost certainly a for the r rans was almost certainly a for the r rans was almost certainly a result of carthaginian restraint rather result of carthaginian restraint rather result of carthaginian restraint rather than any weakness of arms the east coast than any weakness of arms the east coast than any weakness of arms the east coast of Sicily was the last outpost of of Sicily was the last outpost of of Sicily was the last outpost of carthaginian control and there was no carthaginian control and there was no carthaginian control and there was no standing orders in place to cover sudden standing orders in place to cover sudden standing orders in place to cover sudden Roman Invasion The Prudent Naval Roman Invasion The Prudent Naval Roman Invasion The Prudent Naval Commander seeing the Romans cross the Commander seeing the Romans cross the Commander seeing the Romans cross the straight likely decided it was best to straight likely decided it was best to straight likely decided it was best to leave the small Roman Force alone and leave the small Roman Force alone and leave the small Roman Force alone and wait for instructions from home rather wait for instructions from home rather wait for instructions from home rather than spark a fullscale war by than spark a fullscale war by than spark a fullscale war by immediately immediately immediately attacking the car inian Senate was attacking the car inian Senate was attacking the car inian Senate was apoplectic when they heard the news of apoplectic when they heard the news of apoplectic when they heard the news of the Roman Invasion and recalled the the Roman Invasion and recalled the the Roman Invasion and recalled the leader of the Masonic Garrison and leader of the Masonic Garrison and leader of the Masonic Garrison and crucified him literally for his failure crucified him literally for his failure crucified him literally for his failure to defend the to defend the to defend the city Carthage reacted with far more city Carthage reacted with far more city Carthage reacted with far more Vigor than the Romans had estimated and Vigor than the Romans had estimated and Vigor than the Romans had estimated and the carthaginians immediately directed the carthaginians immediately directed the carthaginians immediately directed their armies to Mas with orders to nip their armies to Mas with orders to nip their armies to Mas with orders to nip this Roman Menace in the this Roman Menace in the this Roman Menace in the bud just as appus Claudius arrived in bud just as appus Claudius arrived in bud just as appus Claudius arrived in Sicily with his two Legions the Sicily with his two Legions the Sicily with his two Legions the carthaginian armies reached masana and carthaginian armies reached masana and carthaginian armies reached masana and just like that the first Punic War was just like that the first Punic War was just like that the first Punic War was on whether either side really wanted it on whether either side really wanted it on whether either side really wanted it or or or not next week we will get into the guts not next week we will get into the guts not next week we will get into the guts of the first Punic War or as it might of the first Punic War or as it might of the first Punic War or as it might just as easily be called the war for just as easily be called the war for just as easily be called the war for Sicily as all the action takes place on Sicily as all the action takes place on Sicily as all the action takes place on and around the and around the and around the island there would be triumphs for both island there would be triumphs for both island there would be triumphs for both sides but as much as the Second Punic

sides but as much as the Second Punic sides but as much as the Second Punic War was defined by great General ship War was defined by great General ship War was defined by great General ship the first Punic War is actually defined the first Punic War is actually defined the first Punic War is actually defined by bumbling incompetence and missed by bumbling incompetence and missed by bumbling incompetence and missed opportunities by the leadership of both opportunities by the leadership of both opportunities by the leadership of both armies the Romans would eventually win armies the Romans would eventually win armies the Romans would eventually win this sloppily played game but their this sloppily played game but their this sloppily played game but their Victory would do nothing more than Victory would do nothing more than Victory would do nothing more than guarantee that another far bloodier guarantee that another far bloodier guarantee that another far bloodier conflict will be fought as soon as the conflict will be fought as soon as the conflict will be fought as soon as the two now mortal enemies caught their two now mortal enemies caught their two now mortal enemies caught their [Music] [Music] [Music] breath hello and welcome to the history breath hello and welcome to the history breath hello and welcome to the history of of of Rome episode 20a the first Punic Rome episode 20a the first Punic Rome episode 20a the first Punic War as a way to set up today's episode War as a way to set up today's episode War as a way to set up today's episode and recap last week's topic I would like and recap last week's topic I would like and recap last week's topic I would like to start with an extended quote from Sir to start with an extended quote from Sir to start with an extended quote from Sir Nigel Bagels the Punic Wars which sums Nigel Bagels the Punic Wars which sums Nigel Bagels the Punic Wars which sums up the events that led to the first up the events that led to the first up the events that led to the first Punic War with perfect Punic War with perfect Punic War with perfect brevity a gang of EX mercenaries turned brevity a gang of EX mercenaries turned brevity a gang of EX mercenaries turned brigin seized masana to exploit its brigin seized masana to exploit its brigin seized masana to exploit its people and its natural resources for people and its natural resources for people and its natural resources for their own enrichment their own enrichment their own enrichment faced with the threat of falling under faced with the threat of falling under faced with the threat of falling under the domination of hyro of Syracuse and the domination of hyro of Syracuse and the domination of hyro of Syracuse and losing their privileged status the losing their privileged status the losing their privileged status the mamertines turned to the carthaginians mamertines turned to the carthaginians mamertines turned to the carthaginians for help soon finding their Arrangement for help soon finding their Arrangement for help soon finding their Arrangement unsatisfactory they invited the Romans unsatisfactory they invited the Romans unsatisfactory they invited the Romans to help them instead the Romans had to help them instead the Romans had to help them instead the Romans had recently recovered one of their own recently recovered one of their own recently recovered one of their own cities regium from a similar band of cities regium from a similar band of cities regium from a similar band of adventurers whom they considered so adventurers whom they considered so adventurers whom they considered so reprehensible that they had taken them

reprehensible that they had taken them reprehensible that they had taken them to Rome for public execution but in to Rome for public execution but in to Rome for public execution but in spite of this they accepted the Mam's spite of this they accepted the Mam's spite of this they accepted the Mam's invitation and occupied Masa the invitation and occupied Masa the invitation and occupied Masa the temptation to acquire a foothold in temptation to acquire a foothold in temptation to acquire a foothold in Sicily and secure the Straits in the Sicily and secure the Straits in the Sicily and secure the Straits in the face of carthaginian unpreparedness face of carthaginian unpreparedness face of carthaginian unpreparedness clearly overcame all moral clearly overcame all moral clearly overcame all moral considerations it was an example of considerations it was an example of considerations it was an example of blatant blatant blatant opportunism though they Gravely opportunism though they Gravely opportunism though they Gravely underestimated the consequences the underestimated the consequences the underestimated the consequences the Romans had the muscle and they used Romans had the muscle and they used Romans had the muscle and they used it in 264 BC Rome had dispatched one of it in 264 BC Rome had dispatched one of it in 264 BC Rome had dispatched one of its consoles for the year apus Claudius its consoles for the year apus Claudius its consoles for the year apus Claudius along with two Legions to Sicily with along with two Legions to Sicily with along with two Legions to Sicily with the understanding that they were to the understanding that they were to the understanding that they were to quickly secure the city of mas in the quickly secure the city of mas in the quickly secure the city of mas in the northeast corner of the island and then northeast corner of the island and then northeast corner of the island and then take what further territory they could take what further territory they could take what further territory they could Claus had been a vocal supporter of Claus had been a vocal supporter of Claus had been a vocal supporter of invading Sicily and was positively invading Sicily and was positively invading Sicily and was positively licking his lips at the thought of the licking his lips at the thought of the licking his lips at the thought of the riches and Glory he was about to win for riches and Glory he was about to win for riches and Glory he was about to win for himself he managed to slip by the himself he managed to slip by the himself he managed to slip by the carthaginian fleet stationed in The carthaginian fleet stationed in The carthaginian fleet stationed in The Straits between Italy and Sicily and Straits between Italy and Sicily and Straits between Italy and Sicily and marched two Legions to Masa where he marched two Legions to Masa where he marched two Legions to Masa where he joined the small expeditionary Force led joined the small expeditionary Force led joined the small expeditionary Force led by his cousin that was already holding by his cousin that was already holding by his cousin that was already holding the city for Rome the city for Rome the city for Rome upon his arrival Claudius immediately upon his arrival Claudius immediately upon his arrival Claudius immediately set about fortifying his position set about fortifying his position set about fortifying his position knowing that despite his claims of easy knowing that despite his claims of easy knowing that despite his claims of easy Victory to the Senate the syracusan who Victory to the Senate the syracusan who Victory to the Senate the syracusan who controlled the southeast quadrant of the controlled the southeast quadrant of the controlled the southeast quadrant of the island and the carthaginians who island and the carthaginians who island and the carthaginians who controlled the Western half were not controlled the Western half were not controlled the Western half were not going to Simply let Rome Walt onto their going to Simply let Rome Walt onto their going to Simply let Rome Walt onto their Turf without a fight he did not have to Turf without a fight he did not have to Turf without a fight he did not have to wait long for a reaction from the two wait long for a reaction from the two wait long for a reaction from the two major established powers on the

major established powers on the major established powers on the island upon hearing the news that the island upon hearing the news that the island upon hearing the news that the Romans had arrived in Sicily Carthage Romans had arrived in Sicily Carthage Romans had arrived in Sicily Carthage immediately concluded a treaty with immediately concluded a treaty with immediately concluded a treaty with hirro the king of Syracuse and they hirro the king of Syracuse and they hirro the king of Syracuse and they launched a joint effort to dislodge The launched a joint effort to dislodge The launched a joint effort to dislodge The Interlopers hyro marched his army North Interlopers hyro marched his army North Interlopers hyro marched his army North from Syracuse and the carthaginians from Syracuse and the carthaginians from Syracuse and the carthaginians marched East from their strongholds on marched East from their strongholds on marched East from their strongholds on the western edge of the the western edge of the the western edge of the island they met at masana and made island they met at masana and made island they met at masana and made preparations to laid Siege to the city preparations to laid Siege to the city preparations to laid Siege to the city cadus was outnumbered by the two armies cadus was outnumbered by the two armies cadus was outnumbered by the two armies but as he watched his opponent set up but as he watched his opponent set up but as he watched his opponent set up their camps it was obvious they had not their camps it was obvious they had not their camps it was obvious they had not yet coordinated their armies seizing the yet coordinated their armies seizing the yet coordinated their armies seizing the initiative caus marched out and attacked initiative caus marched out and attacked initiative caus marched out and attacked h Force first driving them off with h Force first driving them off with h Force first driving them off with little difficulty hyro had no incentive little difficulty hyro had no incentive little difficulty hyro had no incentive to put up stiff resistance to the Romans to put up stiff resistance to the Romans to put up stiff resistance to the Romans the treaty with his longtime Nemesis the treaty with his longtime Nemesis the treaty with his longtime Nemesis Carthage was nominal at best sort of a Carthage was nominal at best sort of a Carthage was nominal at best sort of a well if you're going to fight the Romans well if you're going to fight the Romans well if you're going to fight the Romans go ahead I've got your back but he had go ahead I've got your back but he had go ahead I've got your back but he had no intention of actually leading the no intention of actually leading the no intention of actually leading the attack and so facing the brunt of the attack and so facing the brunt of the attack and so facing the brunt of the Roman offensive with the carthaginians Roman offensive with the carthaginians Roman offensive with the carthaginians standing by watching hirro prudently standing by watching hirro prudently standing by watching hirro prudently withdrew better to let the Romans and withdrew better to let the Romans and withdrew better to let the Romans and carthaginians du out then overcommit and carthaginians du out then overcommit and carthaginians du out then overcommit and risk losing his kingdom if the Romans risk losing his kingdom if the Romans risk losing his kingdom if the Romans emerged Victorious and came looking for emerged Victorious and came looking for emerged Victorious and came looking for Revenge the quickness of hyo's defeat Revenge the quickness of hyo's defeat Revenge the quickness of hyo's defeat allowed Claudius to wheel his army allowed Claudius to wheel his army allowed Claudius to wheel his army around and attack the carthaginians around and attack the carthaginians around and attack the carthaginians immediately in the first major immediately in the first major immediately in the first major engagement between the two Powers Rome engagement between the two Powers Rome engagement between the two Powers Rome got the upper hand and the carthaginians got the upper hand and the carthaginians got the upper hand and the carthaginians were forced back but it was an orderly were forced back but it was an orderly were forced back but it was an orderly tactical Retreat not the Mad chaotic tactical Retreat not the Mad chaotic tactical Retreat not the Mad chaotic dash of outright

dash of outright dash of outright defeat the Victorious Romans followed up defeat the Victorious Romans followed up defeat the Victorious Romans followed up their victory by marching South on their victory by marching South on their victory by marching South on Syracuse Claudius knew it was essential Syracuse Claudius knew it was essential Syracuse Claudius knew it was essential to neutralize the powerful Greek city to neutralize the powerful Greek city to neutralize the powerful Greek city state and after Hiro's poor showing state and after Hiro's poor showing state and after Hiro's poor showing outside masana Claudius was confident he outside masana Claudius was confident he outside masana Claudius was confident he could spook the king into a treaty at could spook the king into a treaty at could spook the king into a treaty at the very least ensuring his neutrality the very least ensuring his neutrality the very least ensuring his neutrality in the fight that was sure to come in the fight that was sure to come in the fight that was sure to come against the against the against the carthaginians Claudius began setting up carthaginians Claudius began setting up carthaginians Claudius began setting up for a Siege of hyro city but it is for a Siege of hyro city but it is for a Siege of hyro city but it is likely that the entire operation was likely that the entire operation was likely that the entire operation was pure theater two Legions with no Naval pure theater two Legions with no Naval pure theater two Legions with no Naval support was not nearly enough manpower support was not nearly enough manpower support was not nearly enough manpower to take a city is strong as Syracuse but to take a city is strong as Syracuse but to take a city is strong as Syracuse but Claudius was hoping that hyro would deal Claudius was hoping that hyro would deal Claudius was hoping that hyro would deal anyway though he had no real desire to anyway though he had no real desire to anyway though he had no real desire to fight the Romans and every reason to fight the Romans and every reason to fight the Romans and every reason to align himself with them against the align himself with them against the align himself with them against the carthaginians the king of Syracuse was carthaginians the king of Syracuse was carthaginians the king of Syracuse was not about to capitulate to a few not about to capitulate to a few not about to capitulate to a few thousand soldiers who may be gone by thousand soldiers who may be gone by thousand soldiers who may be gone by winter never to return so hyu remained winter never to return so hyu remained winter never to return so hyu remained secure in his City refused to negotiate secure in his City refused to negotiate secure in his City refused to negotiate and waited for the Romans to and waited for the Romans to and waited for the Romans to withdraw knowing that the legions were withdraw knowing that the legions were withdraw knowing that the legions were vulnerable out in the open to a vulnerable out in the open to a vulnerable out in the open to a carthaginian attack claudus SA decide carthaginian attack claudus SA decide carthaginian attack claudus SA decide himself that hyro would not bargain and himself that hyro would not bargain and himself that hyro would not bargain and marched his two Legions back to Masa marched his two Legions back to Masa marched his two Legions back to Masa where they would remain for the where they would remain for the where they would remain for the winner the next year 263 BC the Romans winner the next year 263 BC the Romans winner the next year 263 BC the Romans decided to commit themselves more fully decided to commit themselves more fully decided to commit themselves more fully to the Sicilian Invasion the operation to the Sicilian Invasion the operation to the Sicilian Invasion the operation of the previous year had essentially of the previous year had essentially of the previous year had essentially been a private campaign waged by appius been a private campaign waged by appius been a private campaign waged by appius Claudius he had raised the two Legions Claudius he had raised the two Legions Claudius he had raised the two Legions himself and conducted the campaign himself and conducted the campaign himself and conducted the campaign without any input from the Senate but without any input from the Senate but without any input from the Senate but now what had been a personal Adventure

now what had been a personal Adventure now what had been a personal Adventure authorized by the Senate was about to authorized by the Senate was about to authorized by the Senate was about to become State become State become State policy recognizing that the quick and policy recognizing that the quick and policy recognizing that the quick and easy road to victory in Sicily had been easy road to victory in Sicily had been easy road to victory in Sicily had been a mirage all along the Senate now made a mirage all along the Senate now made a mirage all along the Senate now made their plans with a broad long-term their plans with a broad long-term their plans with a broad long-term strategy in mind the first step was to strategy in mind the first step was to strategy in mind the first step was to eliminate hyro as a threat if Syracuse eliminate hyro as a threat if Syracuse eliminate hyro as a threat if Syracuse could not be made into an ally then at could not be made into an ally then at could not be made into an ally then at the very least he had to agree to stay the very least he had to agree to stay the very least he had to agree to stay out of the fight with this in mind both out of the fight with this in mind both out of the fight with this in mind both consules for the year each in command of consules for the year each in command of consules for the year each in command of two Legions were sent to Sicily with two Legions were sent to Sicily with two Legions were sent to Sicily with instructions to march on on Syracuse and instructions to march on on Syracuse and instructions to march on on Syracuse and force hyro to the force hyro to the force hyro to the table as the four Legions mooved south table as the four Legions mooved south table as the four Legions mooved south from masa for now the Roman home base on from masa for now the Roman home base on from masa for now the Roman home base on the island they attacked towns allied the island they attacked towns allied the island they attacked towns allied with with with Syracuse none of these cities were a Syracuse none of these cities were a Syracuse none of these cities were a match for Rome and after forcing a few match for Rome and after forcing a few match for Rome and after forcing a few to capitulate under arms the rest to capitulate under arms the rest to capitulate under arms the rest quickly announced their surrender quickly announced their surrender quickly announced their surrender without a without a without a fight when the Romans arrived at the fight when the Romans arrived at the fight when the Romans arrived at the gates of Syracuse this time they brought gates of Syracuse this time they brought gates of Syracuse this time they brought with them a much better hand than the with them a much better hand than the with them a much better hand than the inside straight Claudius had bluffed the inside straight Claudius had bluffed the inside straight Claudius had bluffed the year year year before isolated cut off from his supply before isolated cut off from his supply before isolated cut off from his supply lines and facing four full Legions lines and facing four full Legions lines and facing four full Legions eternally pragmatic hirro agreed to meet eternally pragmatic hirro agreed to meet eternally pragmatic hirro agreed to meet with the consoles and talk with the consoles and talk with the consoles and talk terms the King was delighted by what the terms the King was delighted by what the terms the King was delighted by what the Romans offered he was to keep his Romans offered he was to keep his Romans offered he was to keep his existing Kingdom intact and even be existing Kingdom intact and even be existing Kingdom intact and even be granted control of a few additional granted control of a few additional granted control of a few additional cities in exchange for aiding Rome in cities in exchange for aiding Rome in cities in exchange for aiding Rome in their impending Showdown with Carthage their impending Showdown with Carthage their impending Showdown with Carthage hyro jumped at the deal he had long hyro jumped at the deal he had long hyro jumped at the deal he had long wanted the north Africans expelled from wanted the north Africans expelled from wanted the north Africans expelled from his Island and the Romans stood a very his Island and the Romans stood a very his Island and the Romans stood a very good chance of doing just just that plus

good chance of doing just just that plus good chance of doing just just that plus if he helped the Romans now he would if he helped the Romans now he would if he helped the Romans now he would secure the territorial Integrity of his secure the territorial Integrity of his secure the territorial Integrity of his kingdom which even neutrality might cost kingdom which even neutrality might cost kingdom which even neutrality might cost him if Rome won without his help there him if Rome won without his help there him if Rome won without his help there was always the possibility the Romans was always the possibility the Romans was always the possibility the Romans May reneg down the road but that was for May reneg down the road but that was for May reneg down the road but that was for another day for now he pledged himself another day for now he pledged himself another day for now he pledged himself fully and completely to fully and completely to fully and completely to Rome in the end the Romans did not reneg Rome in the end the Romans did not reneg Rome in the end the Romans did not reneg on their deal and hirro was allowed to on their deal and hirro was allowed to on their deal and hirro was allowed to keep his Sicilian Kingdom intact the keep his Sicilian Kingdom intact the keep his Sicilian Kingdom intact the alliance between hirro and R would last alliance between hirro and R would last alliance between hirro and R would last for 50 years until the old King's death for 50 years until the old King's death for 50 years until the old King's death in 215 BC and proved to be decisive as in 215 BC and proved to be decisive as in 215 BC and proved to be decisive as the Romans transitioned from an Italian the Romans transitioned from an Italian the Romans transitioned from an Italian to a Mediterranean power Hierro to a Mediterranean power Hierro to a Mediterranean power Hierro essentially Midwife the birth of The essentially Midwife the birth of The essentially Midwife the birth of The Wider Roman Empire forever standing by Wider Roman Empire forever standing by Wider Roman Empire forever standing by Rome side as it fought its decades long Rome side as it fought its decades long Rome side as it fought its decades long war against Carthage and forever there war against Carthage and forever there war against Carthage and forever there with Aid and comfort after every Roman with Aid and comfort after every Roman with Aid and comfort after every Roman setback without the support of Hiro the setback without the support of Hiro the setback without the support of Hiro the Romans would never have been able to Romans would never have been able to Romans would never have been able to accomplish what they did and the King accomplish what they did and the King accomplish what they did and the King was rewarded with the gift of was rewarded with the gift of was rewarded with the gift of unchallenged sovereignty over his unchallenged sovereignty over his unchallenged sovereignty over his kingdom there was a lesson implicit in kingdom there was a lesson implicit in kingdom there was a lesson implicit in The Pact with hirro that the Romans The Pact with hirro that the Romans The Pact with hirro that the Romans followed to Grace success and ignored at followed to Grace success and ignored at followed to Grace success and ignored at their Peril which is neatly captured by their Peril which is neatly captured by their Peril which is neatly captured by the aphorism you can attract more bees the aphorism you can attract more bees the aphorism you can attract more bees with honey than with honey than with honey than vinegar the Roman Road to Global Empire vinegar the Roman Road to Global Empire vinegar the Roman Road to Global Empire was always smooth as when they affected was always smooth as when they affected was always smooth as when they affected a generous and honorable stance and a generous and honorable stance and a generous and honorable stance and Rocky as when they acted with deceit and Rocky as when they acted with deceit and Rocky as when they acted with deceit and cruelty they were capable of both but cruelty they were capable of both but cruelty they were capable of both but with hyro they got it exactly right with hyro they got it exactly right with hyro they got it exactly right however in their attempt to win the rest

however in their attempt to win the rest however in their attempt to win the rest of Sicily they displayed far less wisdom of Sicily they displayed far less wisdom of Sicily they displayed far less wisdom and protracted the conflict longer than and protracted the conflict longer than and protracted the conflict longer than necessary by driving cities to the necessary by driving cities to the necessary by driving cities to the carthaginian side with acts of carthaginian side with acts of carthaginian side with acts of unnecessary brutality as was with the unnecessary brutality as was with the unnecessary brutality as was with the case of the sack of case of the sack of case of the sack of aggregant by 262 BC the year after aggregant by 262 BC the year after aggregant by 262 BC the year after securing the alliance with hirro the securing the alliance with hirro the securing the alliance with hirro the Romans were now free to prosecute their Romans were now free to prosecute their Romans were now free to prosecute their greater war with greater war with greater war with Carthage the carthaginians were Carthage the carthaginians were Carthage the carthaginians were assembling a mercenary Army at agre assembling a mercenary Army at agre assembling a mercenary Army at agre a Greek city on the southern coast of a Greek city on the southern coast of a Greek city on the southern coast of Sicily which was both geographically and Sicily which was both geographically and Sicily which was both geographically and culturally disposed to an alliance with culturally disposed to an alliance with culturally disposed to an alliance with Carthage the Romans were intent on Carthage the Romans were intent on Carthage the Romans were intent on preventing this force from spreading out preventing this force from spreading out preventing this force from spreading out onto the island beyond their Port of onto the island beyond their Port of onto the island beyond their Port of Entry and raised an army 40,000 strong Entry and raised an army 40,000 strong Entry and raised an army 40,000 strong to bottle up the to bottle up the to bottle up the city despite persistent skirmishes the city despite persistent skirmishes the city despite persistent skirmishes the Romans were able to build a double wall Romans were able to build a double wall Romans were able to build a double wall around the city one facing in pinning around the city one facing in pinning around the city one facing in pinning the carthaginian Army down and one the carthaginian Army down and one the carthaginian Army down and one facing out to prevent any relieving facing out to prevent any relieving facing out to prevent any relieving force from coming to agrium's force from coming to agrium's force from coming to agrium's Aid this was a risky strategy in that Aid this was a risky strategy in that Aid this was a risky strategy in that the Romans themselves were now open to a the Romans themselves were now open to a the Romans themselves were now open to a Siege the carthaginians well aware of Siege the carthaginians well aware of Siege the carthaginians well aware of this vulnerability re-rooted their this vulnerability re-rooted their this vulnerability re-rooted their incoming troops to a nearby port and incoming troops to a nearby port and incoming troops to a nearby port and decided to exploit the situation and decided to exploit the situation and decided to exploit the situation and besiege the besiege the besiege the besiegers the siege of agrigentum was besiegers the siege of agrigentum was besiegers the siege of agrigentum was the first opportunity for the new Roman the first opportunity for the new Roman the first opportunity for the new Roman friendship with hyro to bear fruit as friendship with hyro to bear fruit as friendship with hyro to bear fruit as the king of Syracuse spared no expense the king of Syracuse spared no expense the king of Syracuse spared no expense to keep the Roman army trapped now to keep the Roman army trapped now to keep the Roman army trapped now between their two walls well

between their two walls well between their two walls well supplied the carthaginian commander of supplied the carthaginian commander of supplied the carthaginian commander of the relieving Force had every intention the relieving Force had every intention the relieving Force had every intention of Simply starving the Romans out as his of Simply starving the Romans out as his of Simply starving the Romans out as his own troops were raw and undisciplined own troops were raw and undisciplined own troops were raw and undisciplined but after failing to cut the Roman but after failing to cut the Roman but after failing to cut the Roman supply lines and recognizing that the supply lines and recognizing that the supply lines and recognizing that the situation inside aggregant was becoming situation inside aggregant was becoming situation inside aggregant was becoming desperate decided to risk an open desperate decided to risk an open desperate decided to risk an open confrontation he challenged the Romans confrontation he challenged the Romans confrontation he challenged the Romans to come out and fight and the challenge to come out and fight and the challenge to come out and fight and the challenge was was was accepted the resulting battle lasted all accepted the resulting battle lasted all accepted the resulting battle lasted all day but in the end just as the day but in the end just as the day but in the end just as the carthaginian commander had feared the carthaginian commander had feared the carthaginian commander had feared the experience and discipline of the Roman experience and discipline of the Roman experience and discipline of the Roman soldiers proved decisive and the soldiers proved decisive and the soldiers proved decisive and the carthaginians were carthaginians were carthaginians were beaten in the aftermath of the fighting beaten in the aftermath of the fighting beaten in the aftermath of the fighting though that discipline broke down as the though that discipline broke down as the though that discipline broke down as the Roman soldiers got caught up Scavenging Roman soldiers got caught up Scavenging Roman soldiers got caught up Scavenging for for for spoils the carthaginian Army trapped spoils the carthaginian Army trapped spoils the carthaginian Army trapped inside agrigentum was able to slip out inside agrigentum was able to slip out inside agrigentum was able to slip out of the city and it wasn't until the last of the city and it wasn't until the last of the city and it wasn't until the last carthaginian company was leaving and carthaginian company was leaving and carthaginian company was leaving and that the Escape was finally noticed the that the Escape was finally noticed the that the Escape was finally noticed the legions brief ly mustered to give Chase legions brief ly mustered to give Chase legions brief ly mustered to give Chase but then realized that with the but then realized that with the but then realized that with the carthaginian Army gone agrigentum was carthaginian Army gone agrigentum was carthaginian Army gone agrigentum was rip for the taking the soldiers wheeled rip for the taking the soldiers wheeled rip for the taking the soldiers wheeled around and charged headlong into the around and charged headlong into the around and charged headlong into the city they had spent months sitting city they had spent months sitting city they had spent months sitting outside of in their lust for plunder all outside of in their lust for plunder all outside of in their lust for plunder all hell broke loose and no distinction was hell broke loose and no distinction was hell broke loose and no distinction was made between civilian and made between civilian and made between civilian and combatant women and children were combatant women and children were combatant women and children were slaughtered along with the men and the slaughtered along with the men and the slaughtered along with the men and the city was stripped of its wealth the city was stripped of its wealth the city was stripped of its wealth the commanders whether they approved of the commanders whether they approved of the commanders whether they approved of the horror or not justified it after the horror or not justified it after the horror or not justified it after the fact by singing The Familiar refrain fact by singing The Familiar refrain fact by singing The Familiar refrain that they needed to make an example of

that they needed to make an example of that they needed to make an example of agrigentum to teach other Carthage agrigentum to teach other Carthage agrigentum to teach other Carthage Allied cities a lesson about resisting Allied cities a lesson about resisting Allied cities a lesson about resisting Rome the only lesson the Carthage Allied Rome the only lesson the Carthage Allied Rome the only lesson the Carthage Allied cities learned however was that the cities learned however was that the cities learned however was that the Romans were sadistic barbarians who had Romans were sadistic barbarians who had Romans were sadistic barbarians who had to be resisted at all cost the sack of to be resisted at all cost the sack of to be resisted at all cost the sack of aggregant did nothing to dissuade future aggregant did nothing to dissuade future aggregant did nothing to dissuade future resistance and in fact did everything to resistance and in fact did everything to resistance and in fact did everything to promote it a more Humane Victory lap may promote it a more Humane Victory lap may promote it a more Humane Victory lap may have convinced the rest of Sicily that have convinced the rest of Sicily that have convinced the rest of Sicily that they had nothing to fear from the they had nothing to fear from the they had nothing to fear from the ascendant Romans but in the end the dose ascendant Romans but in the end the dose ascendant Romans but in the end the dose of Roman vinegar at agrigentum attracted of Roman vinegar at agrigentum attracted of Roman vinegar at agrigentum attracted no no no Bees after taking agrigentum the Romans Bees after taking agrigentum the Romans Bees after taking agrigentum the Romans now effectively controlled 2/3 of Sicily now effectively controlled 2/3 of Sicily now effectively controlled 2/3 of Sicily but the carthaginian strongholds on the but the carthaginian strongholds on the but the carthaginian strongholds on the west coast were west coast were west coast were impregnable their walls were almost impregnable their walls were almost impregnable their walls were almost impossible to breach and no prolonged impossible to breach and no prolonged impossible to breach and no prolonged Siege would work as long as the cities Siege would work as long as the cities Siege would work as long as the cities could be supplied from the could be supplied from the could be supplied from the sea it was the same dilemma the Spartans sea it was the same dilemma the Spartans sea it was the same dilemma the Spartans had faced during the pelian war the had faced during the pelian war the had faced during the pelian war the Spartan failinks could not be beaten on Spartan failinks could not be beaten on Spartan failinks could not be beaten on land but the Athenians dominated the land but the Athenians dominated the land but the Athenians dominated the water neither side risked total defeat water neither side risked total defeat water neither side risked total defeat by challenging the other on their home by challenging the other on their home by challenging the other on their home field but after essentially talking past field but after essentially talking past field but after essentially talking past each other for 30 years the Spartans each other for 30 years the Spartans each other for 30 years the Spartans finally decided to force the issue and finally decided to force the issue and finally decided to force the issue and built a Navy to built a Navy to built a Navy to compete a decisive Spartan Victory at compete a decisive Spartan Victory at compete a decisive Spartan Victory at Sea finally put an end to the long Sea finally put an end to the long Sea finally put an end to the long war in the first Punic War the Romans war in the first Punic War the Romans war in the first Punic War the Romans were dominant on land but the were dominant on land but the were dominant on land but the carthaginians controlled the sea carthaginians controlled the sea carthaginians controlled the sea and so with typical Roman confidence and and so with typical Roman confidence and and so with typical Roman confidence and audacity they decided to follow Sparta's

audacity they decided to follow Sparta's audacity they decided to follow Sparta's example and take the fight onto the example and take the fight onto the example and take the fight onto the other guy's other guy's other guy's Turf while Aus Claudius was initially Turf while Aus Claudius was initially Turf while Aus Claudius was initially crossing over to Masa a carthaginian crossing over to Masa a carthaginian crossing over to Masa a carthaginian ship had charged too aggressively and ship had charged too aggressively and ship had charged too aggressively and run a ground on the Italian run a ground on the Italian run a ground on the Italian Mainland Roman Engineers studied the Mainland Roman Engineers studied the Mainland Roman Engineers studied the ship and in 261 BC the Senate deciding ship and in 261 BC the Senate deciding ship and in 261 BC the Senate deciding to take the plunge into a world they to take the plunge into a world they to take the plunge into a world they knew nothing about ordered a fleet built knew nothing about ordered a fleet built knew nothing about ordered a fleet built based on the carthaginian design based on the carthaginian design based on the carthaginian design the Romans knew nothing about ship the Romans knew nothing about ship the Romans knew nothing about ship building or seamanship but in two months building or seamanship but in two months building or seamanship but in two months they built 120 ships and raised the they built 120 ships and raised the they built 120 ships and raised the 30,000 troops necessary to man them 30,000 troops necessary to man them 30,000 troops necessary to man them training them on rowing techniques on training them on rowing techniques on training them on rowing techniques on the beach while the ships were the beach while the ships were the beach while the ships were completed with minimal real practice at completed with minimal real practice at completed with minimal real practice at Sea the new Roman Fleet sailed off to Sea the new Roman Fleet sailed off to Sea the new Roman Fleet sailed off to challenge carthaginian Naval Supremacy challenge carthaginian Naval Supremacy challenge carthaginian Naval Supremacy how hard could it really how hard could it really how hard could it really be leading the new Roman fleet was be leading the new Roman fleet was be leading the new Roman fleet was Cornelius skipio the first skipio to Cornelius skipio the first skipio to Cornelius skipio the first skipio to appear in our narrative appear in our narrative appear in our narrative but I can assure you he won't be the but I can assure you he won't be the but I can assure you he won't be the last the forbearer of two of the last the forbearer of two of the last the forbearer of two of the greatest Generals in Roman history greatest Generals in Roman history greatest Generals in Roman history however did not get the famous name off however did not get the famous name off however did not get the famous name off to a good to a good to a good start skipio led a squadron of 17 ships start skipio led a squadron of 17 ships start skipio led a squadron of 17 ships to Mas to make sure there was no to Mas to make sure there was no to Mas to make sure there was no carthaginian presence in the area the carthaginian presence in the area the carthaginian presence in the area the main fleet was to follow a few days main fleet was to follow a few days main fleet was to follow a few days later under the capable hands of skipio later under the capable hands of skipio later under the capable hands of skipio consel or colleague gas consel or colleague gas consel or colleague gas dulus but skipio got greedy and decided dulus but skipio got greedy and decided dulus but skipio got greedy and decided to attack a small coastal city while he to attack a small coastal city while he to attack a small coastal city while he waited for the rest of the fleet the waited for the rest of the fleet the waited for the rest of the fleet the carthaginians got wind that the Romans carthaginians got wind that the Romans carthaginians got wind that the Romans were trying to launch a navy and decided

were trying to launch a navy and decided were trying to launch a navy and decided to come have a look for themselves to come have a look for themselves to come have a look for themselves knowing it would be good for a few knowing it would be good for a few knowing it would be good for a few laughs if nothing else they watched with laughs if nothing else they watched with laughs if nothing else they watched with Amusement as skipio foolishly LED all 17 Amusement as skipio foolishly LED all 17 Amusement as skipio foolishly LED all 17 of his ships into a harbor the of his ships into a harbor the of his ships into a harbor the carthaginians could easily trap him in carthaginians could easily trap him in carthaginians could easily trap him in night fell and the carthaginians did night fell and the carthaginians did night fell and the carthaginians did just that and when the morning came just that and when the morning came just that and when the morning came Ski's little fleet was bottled up by a Ski's little fleet was bottled up by a Ski's little fleet was bottled up by a much larger carthaginian Force much larger carthaginian Force much larger carthaginian Force as the carthaginians advanced the newly as the carthaginians advanced the newly as the carthaginians advanced the newly minted Roman Sailors lost their nerve minted Roman Sailors lost their nerve minted Roman Sailors lost their nerve and Abandoned Ship the 17 ships were all and Abandoned Ship the 17 ships were all and Abandoned Ship the 17 ships were all lost and skipio himself was taken lost and skipio himself was taken lost and skipio himself was taken prisoner the blunder earned skipio the prisoner the blunder earned skipio the prisoner the blunder earned skipio the famous moniker asena which roughly famous moniker asena which roughly famous moniker asena which roughly translates as the ass skipio asena as translates as the ass skipio asena as translates as the ass skipio asena as history now remembers him would history now remembers him would history now remembers him would eventually be handed over in a prisoner eventually be handed over in a prisoner eventually be handed over in a prisoner exchange and resume his career but he exchange and resume his career but he exchange and resume his career but he never shook the memory of presiding over never shook the memory of presiding over never shook the memory of presiding over Rome's first naval battle and con Rome's first naval battle and con Rome's first naval battle and con consquently Rome's first Naval consquently Rome's first Naval consquently Rome's first Naval disaster skipio asa's colleague however disaster skipio asa's colleague however disaster skipio asa's colleague however fared much better the carthaginian naval fared much better the carthaginian naval fared much better the carthaginian naval Commander confident that every Victory Commander confident that every Victory Commander confident that every Victory would be so easy headed off to find the would be so easy headed off to find the would be so easy headed off to find the rest of the Roman Fleet rounding the rest of the Roman Fleet rounding the rest of the Roman Fleet rounding the northeast corner of Sicily the 50 northeast corner of Sicily the 50 northeast corner of Sicily the 50 carthaginian ships blundered into the carthaginian ships blundered into the carthaginian ships blundered into the 100 Roman ships and this time the Romans 100 Roman ships and this time the Romans 100 Roman ships and this time the Romans held their own the carthaginian fleet held their own the carthaginian fleet held their own the carthaginian fleet was soon driven back and was lucky to was soon driven back and was lucky to was soon driven back and was lucky to escape without greater losses than they escape without greater losses than they escape without greater losses than they did did did after these two skirmishes the stage was after these two skirmishes the stage was after these two skirmishes the stage was set for the first real full-on naval set for the first real full-on naval set for the first real full-on naval battle of the

battle of the battle of the war the carthaginians sent 145 ships to war the carthaginians sent 145 ships to war the carthaginians sent 145 ships to meet the Romans who by now had a fleet meet the Romans who by now had a fleet meet the Romans who by now had a fleet of 130 anchored off the North Coast of of 130 anchored off the North Coast of of 130 anchored off the North Coast of the island near the island near the island near mle Carthage was intent on using their mle Carthage was intent on using their mle Carthage was intent on using their Superior seamanship to devastate the Superior seamanship to devastate the Superior seamanship to devastate the Romans and put them back where they Romans and put them back where they Romans and put them back where they belonged which is to say the belonged which is to say the belonged which is to say the land the Romans however had a secret land the Romans however had a secret land the Romans however had a secret weapon they knew they were match for the weapon they knew they were match for the weapon they knew they were match for the carthaginians in terms of nautical skill carthaginians in terms of nautical skill carthaginians in terms of nautical skill so they devised a way of leveling the so they devised a way of leveling the so they devised a way of leveling the playing field and turning the battle playing field and turning the battle playing field and turning the battle into nothing more than an infantry fight into nothing more than an infantry fight into nothing more than an infantry fight at at at Sea the standard tactic of ancient Naval Sea the standard tactic of ancient Naval Sea the standard tactic of ancient Naval battles was the subtle and refined battles was the subtle and refined battles was the subtle and refined artart of ramming one ship would try and artart of ramming one ship would try and artart of ramming one ship would try and swing around and head full speed at the swing around and head full speed at the swing around and head full speed at the broadside of an enemy vessel and crash broadside of an enemy vessel and crash broadside of an enemy vessel and crash into it with their armored prow sinking into it with their armored prow sinking into it with their armored prow sinking the ship or at least taking it out of the ship or at least taking it out of the ship or at least taking it out of the fight the Romans lack the skill set the fight the Romans lack the skill set the fight the Romans lack the skill set necessary to compete on this level so necessary to compete on this level so necessary to compete on this level so they developed a device called the they developed a device called the they developed a device called the corvis which functioned like a narrow corvis which functioned like a narrow corvis which functioned like a narrow drawbridge each Roman ship had a wooden drawbridge each Roman ship had a wooden drawbridge each Roman ship had a wooden column outfitted with a pulley mounted column outfitted with a pulley mounted column outfitted with a pulley mounted on its prow attached to the pulley was a on its prow attached to the pulley was a on its prow attached to the pulley was a narrow Plank with a large metal Spike narrow Plank with a large metal Spike narrow Plank with a large metal Spike protruding from its bottom when the protruding from its bottom when the protruding from its bottom when the Romans got near enough to an enemy Romans got near enough to an enemy Romans got near enough to an enemy vessel they dropped the corvis which vessel they dropped the corvis which vessel they dropped the corvis which crashed into the enemy deck and held the crashed into the enemy deck and held the crashed into the enemy deck and held the ship in place the Roman soldiers then ship in place the Roman soldiers then ship in place the Roman soldiers then used the corvis as a bridge running on used the corvis as a bridge running on used the corvis as a bridge running on to the other ship and fighting the to the other ship and fighting the to the other ship and fighting the carthaginian sailors hand to hand the carthaginian sailors hand to hand the carthaginian sailors hand to hand the kind of fighting the Romans excelled kind of fighting the Romans excelled kind of fighting the Romans excelled at at mileay the corvis was used to

at at mileay the corvis was used to at at mileay the corvis was used to great effect an initial foray of 30 great effect an initial foray of 30 great effect an initial foray of 30 carthaginian ships were all caught up carthaginian ships were all caught up carthaginian ships were all caught up and their Crews slaughtered the rest of and their Crews slaughtered the rest of and their Crews slaughtered the rest of the carthaginian fleet charging on their the carthaginian fleet charging on their the carthaginian fleet charging on their heels saw what was happening to the lead heels saw what was happening to the lead heels saw what was happening to the lead group and tried to peel off but another group and tried to peel off but another group and tried to peel off but another 20 were caught up anyway just like that 20 were caught up anyway just like that 20 were caught up anyway just like that the carthaginians had lost a third of the carthaginians had lost a third of the carthaginians had lost a third of their Fleet their Fleet their Fleet having taken the carthaginians having taken the carthaginians having taken the carthaginians completely by surprise with their new completely by surprise with their new completely by surprise with their new toy Rome won its first major naval toy Rome won its first major naval toy Rome won its first major naval battle handly the corvis however was battle handly the corvis however was battle handly the corvis however was never again so effective the never again so effective the never again so effective the carthaginians learning quickly to avoid carthaginians learning quickly to avoid carthaginians learning quickly to avoid the Trap once the secret weapon was no the Trap once the secret weapon was no the Trap once the secret weapon was no longer secret its Effectiveness longer secret its Effectiveness longer secret its Effectiveness disappeared for the next four years the disappeared for the next four years the disappeared for the next four years the first Punic War bogged down into a first Punic War bogged down into a first Punic War bogged down into a series of intermittent and indecisive series of intermittent and indecisive series of intermittent and indecisive battles on land and at Sea the Romans battles on land and at Sea the Romans battles on land and at Sea the Romans diverted forces from Sicily in an diverted forces from Sicily in an diverted forces from Sicily in an attempt to dislodge the carthaginians attempt to dislodge the carthaginians attempt to dislodge the carthaginians from Sardinia and Corsica which they from Sardinia and Corsica which they from Sardinia and Corsica which they were using as bases to harass the were using as bases to harass the were using as bases to harass the Italian Coast no major push was made by Italian Coast no major push was made by Italian Coast no major push was made by Rome on the carthaginian strongholds on Rome on the carthaginian strongholds on Rome on the carthaginian strongholds on the west coast of Sicily and the the west coast of Sicily and the the west coast of Sicily and the carthaginians were content for now to carthaginians were content for now to carthaginians were content for now to hold what possessions they could unable hold what possessions they could unable hold what possessions they could unable to raise a large enough Force to end the to raise a large enough Force to end the to raise a large enough Force to end the now permanent Roman presence on the now permanent Roman presence on the now permanent Roman presence on the island in 255 BC however the Senate island in 255 BC however the Senate island in 255 BC however the Senate decided that its muddle an incoherent decided that its muddle an incoherent decided that its muddle an incoherent strategy of having forces spread across strategy of having forces spread across strategy of having forces spread across multiple Islands would leave them at War multiple Islands would leave them at War multiple Islands would leave them at War forever and initiated a much Bolder forever and initiated a much Bolder forever and initiated a much Bolder strategy that would change the whole strategy that would change the whole strategy that would change the whole dynamic of the war they would invade

dynamic of the war they would invade dynamic of the war they would invade North North North Africa for this Mission the Romans built Africa for this Mission the Romans built Africa for this Mission the Romans built a massive Fleet of 330 ships 250 ships a massive Fleet of 330 ships 250 ships a massive Fleet of 330 ships 250 ships of war and 80 troop transports to Ferry of war and 80 troop transports to Ferry of war and 80 troop transports to Ferry the standard ground Legions into the standard ground Legions into the standard ground Legions into Africa once there the Infantry would Africa once there the Infantry would Africa once there the Infantry would disembark march on Carthage itself and disembark march on Carthage itself and disembark march on Carthage itself and put an end to this war once and for all put an end to this war once and for all put an end to this war once and for all that was the plan that was the plan that was the plan anyway the carthaginian Senate was anyway the carthaginian Senate was anyway the carthaginian Senate was alarmed at what the Romans were alarmed at what the Romans were alarmed at what the Romans were obviously up to and ordered a massive obviously up to and ordered a massive obviously up to and ordered a massive Fleet of their own to intercept The Fleet of their own to intercept The Fleet of their own to intercept The Invasion Force before it could be Invasion Force before it could be Invasion Force before it could be launched from launched from launched from Sicily the carthaginian fleet waited for Sicily the carthaginian fleet waited for Sicily the carthaginian fleet waited for the Romans to load up their 80 transport the Romans to load up their 80 transport the Romans to load up their 80 transport vessels which had to be towed behind vessels which had to be towed behind vessels which had to be towed behind Road ships of war the carthaginians knew Road ships of war the carthaginians knew Road ships of war the carthaginians knew they didn't necessarily have to win the they didn't necessarily have to win the they didn't necessarily have to win the battle to end the threat of invasion battle to end the threat of invasion battle to end the threat of invasion they simply had to sink the helpless they simply had to sink the helpless they simply had to sink the helpless transport vessels no Invasion Force no transport vessels no Invasion Force no transport vessels no Invasion Force no Invasion the two fleets met in the Invasion the two fleets met in the Invasion the two fleets met in the shadow of Mount ecnomus on the southern shadow of Mount ecnomus on the southern shadow of Mount ecnomus on the southern coast of Sicily if the ancient sources coast of Sicily if the ancient sources coast of Sicily if the ancient sources are to be believed then the Battle of are to be believed then the Battle of are to be believed then the Battle of ecomis was one of the largest naval ecomis was one of the largest naval ecomis was one of the largest naval battles in the history of the world with battles in the history of the world with battles in the history of the world with something like 600 ships and 200,000 something like 600 ships and 200,000 something like 600 ships and 200,000 sailors and soldiers taking sailors and soldiers taking sailors and soldiers taking part the Romans set off in a part the Romans set off in a part the Romans set off in a well-planned triangle formation plac ing well-planned triangle formation plac ing well-planned triangle formation plac ing the troop transport at the base of the the troop transport at the base of the the troop transport at the base of the triangle for maximum triangle for maximum triangle for maximum protection but the carthaginians managed protection but the carthaginians managed protection but the carthaginians managed to bait the lead ships out of formation to bait the lead ships out of formation to bait the lead ships out of formation by figing a retreat the lead ships of by figing a retreat the lead ships of by figing a retreat the lead ships of the wedge headed off in pursuit of the

the wedge headed off in pursuit of the the wedge headed off in pursuit of the carthaginians and the back Roman line carthaginians and the back Roman line carthaginians and the back Roman line was unable to keep up the faint was unable to keep up the faint was unable to keep up the faint successful the carthaginians then successful the carthaginians then successful the carthaginians then whipped around and locked up the whipped around and locked up the whipped around and locked up the advancing Romans leaving the transport advancing Romans leaving the transport advancing Romans leaving the transport sitting ducks for another Squadron of sitting ducks for another Squadron of sitting ducks for another Squadron of carthaginian carthaginian carthaginian ships however despite thoroughly out ships however despite thoroughly out ships however despite thoroughly out maneuvering the Romans the carthaginians maneuvering the Romans the carthaginians maneuvering the Romans the carthaginians were unable to seal the deal and the were unable to seal the deal and the were unable to seal the deal and the Roman Line Towing the transports were Roman Line Towing the transports were Roman Line Towing the transports were able to fend off the attack the lead able to fend off the attack the lead able to fend off the attack the lead Roman ships then got the better of their Roman ships then got the better of their Roman ships then got the better of their opponents and were able to swing back opponents and were able to swing back opponents and were able to swing back around to relieve the baguer back around to relieve the baguer back around to relieve the baguer back line at the end of the day the Roman line at the end of the day the Roman line at the end of the day the Roman fleet was still essentially intact the fleet was still essentially intact the fleet was still essentially intact the carthaginians had done nothing more than carthaginians had done nothing more than carthaginians had done nothing more than delay The Invasion and after the Romans delay The Invasion and after the Romans delay The Invasion and after the Romans repaired their damaged vessels they set repaired their damaged vessels they set repaired their damaged vessels they set out again this time without meeting any out again this time without meeting any out again this time without meeting any resistance at all resistance at all resistance at all the carthaginians pulled back to their the carthaginians pulled back to their the carthaginians pulled back to their home City where they made preparations home City where they made preparations home City where they made preparations to fend off the Roman Invasion the to fend off the Roman Invasion the to fend off the Roman Invasion the dynamic of the war was indeed about to dynamic of the war was indeed about to dynamic of the war was indeed about to change as the Romans landed troops in change as the Romans landed troops in change as the Romans landed troops in Africa for the first but certainly not Africa for the first but certainly not Africa for the first but certainly not the last the last the last time next week the Romans will encounter time next week the Romans will encounter time next week the Romans will encounter carthaginian Army revitalized under the carthaginian Army revitalized under the carthaginian Army revitalized under the brilliant command of a hired Spartan brilliant command of a hired Spartan brilliant command of a hired Spartan General name is General name is General name is anpus despite his brilliant generalship anpus despite his brilliant generalship anpus despite his brilliant generalship though Rome will come a hairs breath though Rome will come a hairs breath though Rome will come a hairs breath away from ending the war but an away from ending the war but an away from ending the war but an overinflated ego will blow the overinflated ego will blow the overinflated ego will blow the opportunity forcing the war back to opportunity forcing the war back to opportunity forcing the war back to Sicily where Carthage will wage a decade Sicily where Carthage will wage a decade Sicily where Carthage will wage a decade long Guerilla war against the inevitable long Guerilla war against the inevitable long Guerilla war against the inevitable tide of Roman tide of Roman tide of Roman domination in the final years of the war

domination in the final years of the war domination in the final years of the war a young carthaginian boy will swear a young carthaginian boy will swear a young carthaginian boy will swear Eternal hatred for Rome starting him on Eternal hatred for Rome starting him on Eternal hatred for Rome starting him on the path to becoming nightmare Boogeyman the path to becoming nightmare Boogeyman the path to becoming nightmare Boogeyman a number one in the Roman psyche Hannibal Hannibal [Music] [Music] [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 20b the first Punic Rome episode 20b the first Punic Rome episode 20b the first Punic War after years of inconclusive fighting War after years of inconclusive fighting War after years of inconclusive fighting on and around Sicily the Romans decided on and around Sicily the Romans decided on and around Sicily the Romans decided the time had finally come to stop the time had finally come to stop the time had finally come to stop fighting the tentacles of the fighting the tentacles of the fighting the tentacles of the carthaginian Empire and stab right at carthaginian Empire and stab right at carthaginian Empire and stab right at its heart they assembled a massive its heart they assembled a massive its heart they assembled a massive Invasion Fleet of 350 ships on on the Invasion Fleet of 350 ships on on the Invasion Fleet of 350 ships on on the southern coast of Sicily and in 256 BC southern coast of Sicily and in 256 BC southern coast of Sicily and in 256 BC set sail for set sail for set sail for Africa though they were stalled by one Africa though they were stalled by one Africa though they were stalled by one of the largest naval battles in history of the largest naval battles in history of the largest naval battles in history the Romans were able to regroup and set the Romans were able to regroup and set the Romans were able to regroup and set out once again no worse for the wear out once again no worse for the wear out once again no worse for the wear they had been set back a few months they had been set back a few months they had been set back a few months which threw a small monkey wrench into which threw a small monkey wrench into which threw a small monkey wrench into their plans but the Romans remained their plans but the Romans remained their plans but the Romans remained focused and confident that they were on focused and confident that they were on focused and confident that they were on their way to sack Carthage and end the their way to sack Carthage and end the their way to sack Carthage and end the war in charge of the operation was the war in charge of the operation was the war in charge of the operation was the senior console for the year Marcus had senior console for the year Marcus had senior console for the year Marcus had ilus ilus ilus regulus originally the plan in place had regulus originally the plan in place had regulus originally the plan in place had been to land about 50 Mi southeast of been to land about 50 Mi southeast of been to land about 50 Mi southeast of Carthage disembark the legions set up a Carthage disembark the legions set up a Carthage disembark the legions set up a defensive perimeter and begin the march defensive perimeter and begin the march defensive perimeter and begin the march on the enemy on the enemy on the enemy City the logic behind Landing down the City the logic behind Landing down the City the logic behind Landing down the road from Carthage and not right on

road from Carthage and not right on road from Carthage and not right on their doorstep was their doorstep was their doorstep was twofold first the waters immediately twofold first the waters immediately twofold first the waters immediately surrounding Carthage were patrolled by surrounding Carthage were patrolled by surrounding Carthage were patrolled by the weakened but still powerful the weakened but still powerful the weakened but still powerful carthaginian navy the Romans concluded carthaginian navy the Romans concluded carthaginian navy the Romans concluded that any resistance they faced at Sea that any resistance they faced at Sea that any resistance they faced at Sea would be far stiffer than any they met would be far stiffer than any they met would be far stiffer than any they met on on on land second the Romans had no Illusions land second the Romans had no Illusions land second the Romans had no Illusions about the ease of taking a great City about the ease of taking a great City about the ease of taking a great City like Carthage so just as they had done like Carthage so just as they had done like Carthage so just as they had done with Syracuse they knew they needed to with Syracuse they knew they needed to with Syracuse they knew they needed to isolate Carthage and cut off its supply isolate Carthage and cut off its supply isolate Carthage and cut off its supply lines so as the legions made their way lines so as the legions made their way lines so as the legions made their way to Carthage they were supposed to to Carthage they were supposed to to Carthage they were supposed to convince locals along the way that convince locals along the way that convince locals along the way that Carthage was doomed and it was time to Carthage was doomed and it was time to Carthage was doomed and it was time to join the Roman join the Roman join the Roman side once the Infantry reached Carthage side once the Infantry reached Carthage side once the Infantry reached Carthage the bulk of the fleet would set up a the bulk of the fleet would set up a the bulk of the fleet would set up a blockade of the city outside the reach blockade of the city outside the reach blockade of the city outside the reach of the carthaginian Navy but still of the carthaginian Navy but still of the carthaginian Navy but still standing between Carthage and its standing between Carthage and its standing between Carthage and its Maritime supply routes it was a good Maritime supply routes it was a good Maritime supply routes it was a good plan but the Battle of ecnomus had set plan but the Battle of ecnomus had set plan but the Battle of ecnomus had set it all back a few months and by the time it all back a few months and by the time it all back a few months and by the time the Romans finally landed in Africa the Romans finally landed in Africa the Romans finally landed in Africa winter was fast approaching there was no winter was fast approaching there was no winter was fast approaching there was no way to provision the entire force which way to provision the entire force which way to provision the entire force which included something like 75,000 rowers so included something like 75,000 rowers so included something like 75,000 rowers so just like that the carefully laid plan just like that the carefully laid plan just like that the carefully laid plan was tossed out and improvisation was tossed out and improvisation was tossed out and improvisation commenced most of the fleet was ordered commenced most of the fleet was ordered commenced most of the fleet was ordered back to Sicily leaving regulus in Africa back to Sicily leaving regulus in Africa back to Sicily leaving regulus in Africa with 15,000 Infantry and 500 Cavalry his with 15,000 Infantry and 500 Cavalry his with 15,000 Infantry and 500 Cavalry his instructions were to hold the Roman instructions were to hold the Roman instructions were to hold the Roman position for the winner and do his level position for the winner and do his level position for the winner and do his level best to begin the process of turning best to begin the process of turning best to begin the process of turning carthage's allies against carthage's allies against carthage's allies against them regulus though had in mind for them regulus though had in mind for them regulus though had in mind for himself the glory of ending the war and himself the glory of ending the war and himself the glory of ending the war and decided to March for Carthage anyway

decided to March for Carthage anyway decided to March for Carthage anyway with or without Naval support he still with or without Naval support he still with or without Naval support he still understood the wisdom of isolating the understood the wisdom of isolating the understood the wisdom of isolating the carthaginians though and attacked carthaginians though and attacked carthaginians though and attacked carthage's North African allies along carthage's North African allies along carthage's North African allies along the way it was at one of these stops the way it was at one of these stops the way it was at one of these stops about 40 mi from Carthage at the city of about 40 mi from Carthage at the city of about 40 mi from Carthage at the city of Adis that the Romans met their first Adis that the Romans met their first Adis that the Romans met their first real resistance from the carthaginian real resistance from the carthaginian real resistance from the carthaginian Army however afraid of meeting the Army however afraid of meeting the Army however afraid of meeting the Romans out on the plains the Romans out on the plains the Romans out on the plains the carthaginians took to the hills where carthaginians took to the hills where carthaginians took to the hills where they figured the strength of the legions they figured the strength of the legions they figured the strength of the legions would be diminished this however was a would be diminished this however was a would be diminished this however was a disastrous strategy for two reasons disastrous strategy for two reasons disastrous strategy for two reasons first the Romans had just spent 60 years first the Romans had just spent 60 years first the Romans had just spent 60 years locked in a mortal death struggle with locked in a mortal death struggle with locked in a mortal death struggle with the samnites and had learned every trick the samnites and had learned every trick the samnites and had learned every trick in the book when it came to Hill in the book when it came to Hill in the book when it came to Hill fighting and second the one true fighting and second the one true fighting and second the one true superiority of the carthaginian ground superiority of the carthaginian ground superiority of the carthaginian ground forces was their Cavalry which in the forces was their Cavalry which in the forces was their Cavalry which in the hills were effectively taken out of the hills were effectively taken out of the hills were effectively taken out of the fight fight fight altogether so after the carthaginian altogether so after the carthaginian altogether so after the carthaginian generals carefully set themselves up to generals carefully set themselves up to generals carefully set themselves up to fail all that was left to do was take fail all that was left to do was take fail all that was left to do was take the field and do just that the Romans the field and do just that the Romans the field and do just that the Romans marched up into the hills and dislodged marched up into the hills and dislodged marched up into the hills and dislodged the carthaginians with ease driving them the carthaginians with ease driving them the carthaginians with ease driving them out of the area the city of Adis then out of the area the city of Adis then out of the area the city of Adis then surrendered without further surrendered without further surrendered without further resistance the carthaginian Senate was resistance the carthaginian Senate was resistance the carthaginian Senate was now beside itself its Army had been now beside itself its Army had been now beside itself its Army had been dispatched with ease and the Romans were dispatched with ease and the Romans were dispatched with ease and the Romans were on the move on the move on the move adding to their despair reports began to adding to their despair reports began to adding to their despair reports began to arrive that the fragile carthaginian arrive that the fragile carthaginian arrive that the fragile carthaginian domination of the libyans and numidians domination of the libyans and numidians domination of the libyans and numidians was breaking down and revolts were was breaking down and revolts were was breaking down and revolts were flaring up the defection of the flaring up the defection of the flaring up the defection of the numidians was particularly distressing numidians was particularly distressing numidians was particularly distressing in the whole of the Mediterranean the in the whole of the Mediterranean the in the whole of the Mediterranean the numidians were by far the best Horsemen

numidians were by far the best Horsemen numidians were by far the best Horsemen without the numidian Cavalry riding with without the numidian Cavalry riding with without the numidian Cavalry riding with them the one advantage the carthaginians them the one advantage the carthaginians them the one advantage the carthaginians did have would go out the did have would go out the did have would go out the window cut off from their allies and window cut off from their allies and window cut off from their allies and without an Army strong enough to oppose without an Army strong enough to oppose without an Army strong enough to oppose the legions the the only option left to the legions the the only option left to the legions the the only option left to Carthage seemed to be negotiation the Carthage seemed to be negotiation the Carthage seemed to be negotiation the writing was on the wall and when the writing was on the wall and when the writing was on the wall and when the Romans finally did arrive at Carthage Romans finally did arrive at Carthage Romans finally did arrive at Carthage envoys not an army were sent to greet envoys not an army were sent to greet envoys not an army were sent to greet them regulus agreed to meet with them them regulus agreed to meet with them them regulus agreed to meet with them and by all accounts was about to receive and by all accounts was about to receive and by all accounts was about to receive significant concessions from the significant concessions from the significant concessions from the carthaginians and bring an end to the carthaginians and bring an end to the carthaginians and bring an end to the long War when fate or rather ego stepped long War when fate or rather ego stepped long War when fate or rather ego stepped in intemperate in his demands regulus in intemperate in his demands regulus in intemperate in his demands regulus laid terms of surrender so Preposterous laid terms of surrender so Preposterous laid terms of surrender so Preposterous that the carthaginians were forced to that the carthaginians were forced to that the carthaginians were forced to refuse he demanded the carthaginians refuse he demanded the carthaginians refuse he demanded the carthaginians leave Sicily Corsica and Sardinia leave Sicily Corsica and Sardinia leave Sicily Corsica and Sardinia forever that they completely dismantle forever that they completely dismantle forever that they completely dismantle their Navy pay a huge punitive finder their Navy pay a huge punitive finder their Navy pay a huge punitive finder Rome and as a final humiliation sign a Rome and as a final humiliation sign a Rome and as a final humiliation sign a treaty that would Place Carthage under treaty that would Place Carthage under treaty that would Place Carthage under the sovereignty of the Roman the sovereignty of the Roman the sovereignty of the Roman senate the carthaginian envoys were senate the carthaginian envoys were senate the carthaginian envoys were shocked regulus was essentially acting shocked regulus was essentially acting shocked regulus was essentially acting as if he had defeated the carthaginians as if he had defeated the carthaginians as if he had defeated the carthaginians in battle and was imposing terms rather in battle and was imposing terms rather in battle and was imposing terms rather than bargaining with a weak but still than bargaining with a weak but still than bargaining with a weak but still unconquered unconquered unconquered City the carthaginians were better off City the carthaginians were better off City the carthaginians were better off for rejecting the terms and praying for for rejecting the terms and praying for for rejecting the terms and praying for a miracle than just giving away the farm a miracle than just giving away the farm a miracle than just giving away the farm without making the Romans even work for without making the Romans even work for without making the Romans even work for it so the envoys returned to Carthage it so the envoys returned to Carthage it so the envoys returned to Carthage and announced that they had failed to and announced that they had failed to and announced that they had failed to give up which is pretty hard to do when give up which is pretty hard to do when give up which is pretty hard to do when you think about you think about you think about it but all was not completely lost for it but all was not completely lost for it but all was not completely lost for the carthaginians they had sent out the carthaginians they had sent out the carthaginians they had sent out feelers across the Mediterranean looking

feelers across the Mediterranean looking feelers across the Mediterranean looking for Aid and had Hit Upon a good lead in for Aid and had Hit Upon a good lead in for Aid and had Hit Upon a good lead in Greece specifically in the legendarily Greece specifically in the legendarily Greece specifically in the legendarily Marshall city of Marshall city of Marshall city of Sparta at the same time that Sparta at the same time that Sparta at the same time that negotiations were on under Way With negotiations were on under Way With negotiations were on under Way With regulus Word came that a Spartan General regulus Word came that a Spartan General regulus Word came that a Spartan General with a small but lethal force of Greek with a small but lethal force of Greek with a small but lethal force of Greek mercenaries were on their way the mercenaries were on their way the mercenaries were on their way the carthaginian Senate hoped that this Army carthaginian Senate hoped that this Army carthaginian Senate hoped that this Army from the East would turn out to be the from the East would turn out to be the from the East would turn out to be the miracle they had prayed for so as miracle they had prayed for so as miracle they had prayed for so as regulus settled in for the winter and regulus settled in for the winter and regulus settled in for the winter and dreamed of the Triumph he would receive dreamed of the Triumph he would receive dreamed of the Triumph he would receive when the carthaginians finally came to when the carthaginians finally came to when the carthaginians finally came to their senses the Greek army arrived and their senses the Greek army arrived and their senses the Greek army arrived and though regulus did not realize it yet though regulus did not realize it yet though regulus did not realize it yet kicked Glory out of his kicked Glory out of his kicked Glory out of his reach the Spartan General zanthus set to reach the Spartan General zanthus set to reach the Spartan General zanthus set to work immediate mediately by interviewing work immediate mediately by interviewing work immediate mediately by interviewing carthaginian soldiers present at the carthaginian soldiers present at the carthaginian soldiers present at the Battle of Adis he was shocked to hear Battle of Adis he was shocked to hear Battle of Adis he was shocked to hear how badly the carthaginian generals had how badly the carthaginian generals had how badly the carthaginian generals had mucked things up and concluded quickly mucked things up and concluded quickly mucked things up and concluded quickly that there was nothing wrong with the that there was nothing wrong with the that there was nothing wrong with the carthaginian Army itself just its carthaginian Army itself just its carthaginian Army itself just its leadership he was further convinced when leadership he was further convinced when leadership he was further convinced when he was tasked by the carthaginian Senate he was tasked by the carthaginian Senate he was tasked by the carthaginian Senate with drilling their army into shape as with drilling their army into shape as with drilling their army into shape as he watched them he realized there was he watched them he realized there was he watched them he realized there was nothing wrong with the Infantry the nothing wrong with the Infantry the nothing wrong with the Infantry the Cavalry was magnificent and the war Cavalry was magnificent and the war Cavalry was magnificent and the war elephants practically elephants practically elephants practically indestructible he reported to the Senate indestructible he reported to the Senate indestructible he reported to the Senate that they had nothing to fear from the that they had nothing to fear from the that they had nothing to fear from the Romans and as soon as spring came Romans and as soon as spring came Romans and as soon as spring came advised them to immediately challenge advised them to immediately challenge advised them to immediately challenge the legions in the open Plains the the legions in the open Plains the the legions in the open Plains the Senate was skeptical but zanthus Senate was skeptical but zanthus Senate was skeptical but zanthus eventually moved them to order the eventually moved them to order the eventually moved them to order the attack when spring did arrive and no attack when spring did arrive and no attack when spring did arrive and no treaty had been reached regulus began to treaty had been reached regulus began to treaty had been reached regulus began to get fidgety when the Roman Fleet get fidgety when the Roman Fleet get fidgety when the Roman Fleet returned to North Africa they were sure

returned to North Africa they were sure returned to North Africa they were sure to bring the new consoles for the year to bring the new consoles for the year to bring the new consoles for the year with them regulus had won the Battle of with them regulus had won the Battle of with them regulus had won the Battle of eamus landed in North Africa and marched eamus landed in North Africa and marched eamus landed in North Africa and marched to the gates of of Carthage now with to the gates of of Carthage now with to the gates of of Carthage now with victory in his grasp he was about to victory in his grasp he was about to victory in his grasp he was about to have to hand the Baton off in the final have to hand the Baton off in the final have to hand the Baton off in the final 50 yards of the marathon and let some 50 yards of the marathon and let some 50 yards of the marathon and let some newbie cross the finish line and get all newbie cross the finish line and get all newbie cross the finish line and get all the glory the Clock Was ticking not on the glory the Clock Was ticking not on the glory the Clock Was ticking not on Rome's chances in North Africa but on Rome's chances in North Africa but on Rome's chances in North Africa but on regulus's chance to be the center of regulus's chance to be the center of regulus's chance to be the center of attention at the victory attention at the victory attention at the victory party when the newly confident party when the newly confident party when the newly confident carthaginian Army marched out into the carthaginian Army marched out into the carthaginian Army marched out into the plains beside Carthage was anpus at its plains beside Carthage was anpus at its plains beside Carthage was anpus at its head regulus would have been wise to head regulus would have been wise to head regulus would have been wise to stall for time and wait for stall for time and wait for stall for time and wait for reinforcements from Rome to guarantee reinforcements from Rome to guarantee reinforcements from Rome to guarantee Victory his army was not large and had Victory his army was not large and had Victory his army was not large and had just spent the winter in enemy territory just spent the winter in enemy territory just spent the winter in enemy territory but blinded by Vanity he jumped at the but blinded by Vanity he jumped at the but blinded by Vanity he jumped at the chance to chance to chance to fight conventional wisdom was that the fight conventional wisdom was that the fight conventional wisdom was that the carthaginians were no match for the carthaginians were no match for the carthaginians were no match for the legions out in the open and when regulus legions out in the open and when regulus legions out in the open and when regulus saw them March out his head was filled saw them March out his head was filled saw them March out his head was filled with visions of dining in Carthage that with visions of dining in Carthage that with visions of dining in Carthage that very night which of course he did just very night which of course he did just very night which of course he did just not in the way he not in the way he not in the way he imagined the battle to say the least was imagined the battle to say the least was imagined the battle to say the least was an unmitigated disaster for Rome an unmitigated disaster for Rome an unmitigated disaster for Rome zanthus saw clearly the advantage his zanthus saw clearly the advantage his zanthus saw clearly the advantage his Superior Cavalry afforded him and Superior Cavalry afforded him and Superior Cavalry afforded him and regulus's infantry deployment all but regulus's infantry deployment all but regulus's infantry deployment all but guaranteed carthaginian Victory before guaranteed carthaginian Victory before guaranteed carthaginian Victory before the battle even the battle even the battle even began zanthus placed the war elephant at began zanthus placed the war elephant at began zanthus placed the war elephant at the head of his army and the Cavalry on the head of his army and the Cavalry on the head of his army and the Cavalry on the wings regulus responded by deepening the wings regulus responded by deepening the wings regulus responded by deepening his line so the elephants could not his line so the elephants could not his line so the elephants could not break through them completely but in break through them completely but in break through them completely but in order to do so he had to sacrifice the

order to do so he had to sacrifice the order to do so he had to sacrifice the width of his front he essentially width of his front he essentially width of his front he essentially flipped the rat Kangle that was his army flipped the rat Kangle that was his army flipped the rat Kangle that was his army so that the short end rather than the so that the short end rather than the so that the short end rather than the broad side were facing the broad side were facing the broad side were facing the carthaginians when zanthus saw regulus carthaginians when zanthus saw regulus carthaginians when zanthus saw regulus order the new deployment he knew victory order the new deployment he knew victory order the new deployment he knew victory was in his was in his was in his grasp with the shorten front the Romans grasp with the shorten front the Romans grasp with the shorten front the Romans would be easily outflanked by the would be easily outflanked by the would be easily outflanked by the carthaginian Cavalry regulus couldn't carthaginian Cavalry regulus couldn't carthaginian Cavalry regulus couldn't have played into zanthus his hands more have played into zanthus his hands more have played into zanthus his hands more if he had if he had if he had tried the battle began when zanthus sent tried the battle began when zanthus sent tried the battle began when zanthus sent the elephants in who duly caused their the elephants in who duly caused their the elephants in who duly caused their patented brand of Havoc while the Romans patented brand of Havoc while the Romans patented brand of Havoc while the Romans were focused on the giant beasts he were focused on the giant beasts he were focused on the giant beasts he ordered out the cavalry which rooted ordered out the cavalry which rooted ordered out the cavalry which rooted their Roman counterparts easily and just their Roman counterparts easily and just their Roman counterparts easily and just as the Romans were getting a handle on as the Romans were getting a handle on as the Romans were getting a handle on the elephants they were hit from both the elephants they were hit from both the elephants they were hit from both sides by the carthaginian sides by the carthaginian sides by the carthaginian Cavalry the Romans now besieged from all Cavalry the Romans now besieged from all Cavalry the Romans now besieged from all fronts fought for their lives surging fronts fought for their lives surging fronts fought for their lives surging forward in an attempt to break out of forward in an attempt to break out of forward in an attempt to break out of the Cavalry pincher but waiting for them the Cavalry pincher but waiting for them the Cavalry pincher but waiting for them was the fresh and so far unused was the fresh and so far unused was the fresh and so far unused carthaginian carthaginian carthaginian infantry the exhausted Romans didn't infantry the exhausted Romans didn't infantry the exhausted Romans didn't stand a chance of the 15,000 or so who stand a chance of the 15,000 or so who stand a chance of the 15,000 or so who entered the battle only 2,000 made it entered the battle only 2,000 made it entered the battle only 2,000 made it out alive out alive out alive of these around 500 were taken prisoner of these around 500 were taken prisoner of these around 500 were taken prisoner including regulus himself who as I said including regulus himself who as I said including regulus himself who as I said did indeed dine in Carthage that very did indeed dine in Carthage that very did indeed dine in Carthage that very evening his hands hobbled by evening his hands hobbled by evening his hands hobbled by chains when the Roman Fleet finally chains when the Roman Fleet finally chains when the Roman Fleet finally arrived it was not to preside over a arrived it was not to preside over a arrived it was not to preside over a final victory for Rome but rather to final victory for Rome but rather to final victory for Rome but rather to pick up the pitiful survivors of a pick up the pitiful survivors of a pick up the pitiful survivors of a devastated Army the Roman Adventure in devastated Army the Roman Adventure in devastated Army the Roman Adventure in North Africa was over and it would be 50

North Africa was over and it would be 50 North Africa was over and it would be 50 years before they would attempt anything years before they would attempt anything years before they would attempt anything so audacious so audacious so audacious again that time though young skipio again that time though young skipio again that time though young skipio Africanus would lead the invasion and Africanus would lead the invasion and Africanus would lead the invasion and secure a much better secure a much better secure a much better result to add insult to injury when the result to add insult to injury when the result to add insult to injury when the Roman ships were returning from North Roman ships were returning from North Roman ships were returning from North Africa a storm kicked up and sank the Africa a storm kicked up and sank the Africa a storm kicked up and sank the entire fleet it was one of the worst entire fleet it was one of the worst entire fleet it was one of the worst Maritime disasters in history 100,000 Maritime disasters in history 100,000 Maritime disasters in history 100,000 men drowned just like that after news of men drowned just like that after news of men drowned just like that after news of the disaster reach Rome the Senate took the disaster reach Rome the Senate took the disaster reach Rome the Senate took stock of the situation and realized that stock of the situation and realized that stock of the situation and realized that after 10 years of fighting they were after 10 years of fighting they were after 10 years of fighting they were right back at square right back at square right back at square one Zan one Zan one Zan clearly the best thing to ever happen to clearly the best thing to ever happen to clearly the best thing to ever happen to Carthage was rewarded for his victory Carthage was rewarded for his victory Carthage was rewarded for his victory with public Acclaim and private threats with public Acclaim and private threats with public Acclaim and private threats the carthaginian nobility was threatened the carthaginian nobility was threatened the carthaginian nobility was threatened by the brilliant Greek tactician and it by the brilliant Greek tactician and it by the brilliant Greek tactician and it was not long before zanthus fearing he was not long before zanthus fearing he was not long before zanthus fearing he would be assassinated by the jealous would be assassinated by the jealous would be assassinated by the jealous nobility if he remained in Carthage left nobility if he remained in Carthage left nobility if he remained in Carthage left the city for good the loss of so great a the city for good the loss of so great a the city for good the loss of so great a commander did nothing to help the commander did nothing to help the commander did nothing to help the carthaginian war effort it was one of carthaginian war effort it was one of carthaginian war effort it was one of the great blunders of the war that the the great blunders of the war that the the great blunders of the war that the nobility let their own paranoia take nobility let their own paranoia take nobility let their own paranoia take precedence over actually winning the precedence over actually winning the precedence over actually winning the fight zanthus could have done great fight zanthus could have done great fight zanthus could have done great things for them but he was never given a things for them but he was never given a things for them but he was never given a chance the war now returned to Sicily chance the war now returned to Sicily chance the war now returned to Sicily the Romans with their seemingly the Romans with their seemingly the Romans with their seemingly bottomless reserves of men and money bottomless reserves of men and money bottomless reserves of men and money enlisted tens of thousands of new enlisted tens of thousands of new enlisted tens of thousands of new soldiers and sent them off to continue soldiers and sent them off to continue soldiers and sent them off to continue the fight just as had happened before the fight just as had happened before the fight just as had happened before though years of inconclusive fighting though years of inconclusive fighting though years of inconclusive fighting followed and it led the Romans to followed and it led the Romans to followed and it led the Romans to conclude that they had to do something

conclude that they had to do something conclude that they had to do something drastic to bring this interminable drastic to bring this interminable drastic to bring this interminable conflict to an end the decision was made conflict to an end the decision was made conflict to an end the decision was made to attack the carthaginian stronghold of to attack the carthaginian stronghold of to attack the carthaginian stronghold of libom on the northwest coast of the libom on the northwest coast of the libom on the northwest coast of the island a victory there would mean the island a victory there would mean the island a victory there would mean the end of a carthaginian presence on Sicily end of a carthaginian presence on Sicily end of a carthaginian presence on Sicily and the Romans prepared for the attack and the Romans prepared for the attack and the Romans prepared for the attack with all the energy and skill they could with all the energy and skill they could with all the energy and skill they could muster they built a fleet of about 80 muster they built a fleet of about 80 muster they built a fleet of about 80 ships to blockade lulab bomb's Harbor ships to blockade lulab bomb's Harbor ships to blockade lulab bomb's Harbor and ordered the bulk of their land and ordered the bulk of their land and ordered the bulk of their land forces to the city with instructions to forces to the city with instructions to forces to the city with instructions to bring it to its bring it to its bring it to its knees but despite the massive investment knees but despite the massive investment knees but despite the massive investment of time and money into Siege equipment of time and money into Siege equipment of time and money into Siege equipment and Provisions the carthaginians simply and Provisions the carthaginians simply and Provisions the carthaginians simply would not be moved they had little would not be moved they had little would not be moved they had little trouble running the blockade which the trouble running the blockade which the trouble running the blockade which the inexperienced Romans did a poor job of inexperienced Romans did a poor job of inexperienced Romans did a poor job of maintaining and they kept themselves maintaining and they kept themselves maintaining and they kept themselves well well well supplied in 249 BC after about a year of supplied in 249 BC after about a year of supplied in 249 BC after about a year of getting nowhere new consoles arrived at getting nowhere new consoles arrived at getting nowhere new consoles arrived at libom and one of them puus Claudius pure libom and one of them puus Claudius pure libom and one of them puus Claudius pure brought with him a bold brought with him a bold brought with him a bold plan he gathered the military tribunes plan he gathered the military tribunes plan he gathered the military tribunes together and made his pitch the together and made his pitch the together and made his pitch the carthaginian fleet which was anchored carthaginian fleet which was anchored carthaginian fleet which was anchored not far down the coast at the city not far down the coast at the city not far down the coast at the city called drana believed the Romans were called drana believed the Romans were called drana believed the Romans were set on maintaining the blockade and POS set on maintaining the blockade and POS set on maintaining the blockade and POS no real threat if the Romans sailed no real threat if the Romans sailed no real threat if the Romans sailed their 120 odd ships down the coast at their 120 odd ships down the coast at their 120 odd ships down the coast at night they could surprise the night they could surprise the night they could surprise the carthaginians and destroy their Navy carthaginians and destroy their Navy carthaginians and destroy their Navy before they knew what hit them their before they knew what hit them their before they knew what hit them their ability to run the blockade crippled it ability to run the blockade crippled it ability to run the blockade crippled it would only be a matter of time before would only be a matter of time before would only be a matter of time before lolab bomb lolab bomb lolab bomb fell with the eloquent certainty of a fell with the eloquent certainty of a fell with the eloquent certainty of a true Claud pure won over the troops and

true Claud pure won over the troops and true Claud pure won over the troops and preparations for the raid began preparations for the raid began preparations for the raid began immediately how however pure made one immediately how however pure made one immediately how however pure made one huge mistake at the outside of the huge mistake at the outside of the huge mistake at the outside of the operation that sealed his fate and operation that sealed his fate and operation that sealed his fate and secured his place in Roman history not secured his place in Roman history not secured his place in Roman history not as a Great Hero but one of its greatest as a Great Hero but one of its greatest as a Great Hero but one of its greatest goats setting out for drana he ordered goats setting out for drana he ordered goats setting out for drana he ordered that the opes be taken and the sacred that the opes be taken and the sacred that the opes be taken and the sacred chickens chickens chickens consulted in the great Litany of Roman consulted in the great Litany of Roman consulted in the great Litany of Roman Superstition Consulting with the sacred Superstition Consulting with the sacred Superstition Consulting with the sacred chickens has always been my personal chickens has always been my personal chickens has always been my personal favorite a flock of chickens were always favorite a flock of chickens were always favorite a flock of chickens were always carried around with the Army and just carried around with the Army and just carried around with the Army and just before a battle an augur would scatter before a battle an augur would scatter before a battle an augur would scatter feed in front of them if the sacred feed in front of them if the sacred feed in front of them if the sacred chickens ate it meant victory was chickens ate it meant victory was chickens ate it meant victory was assured but if they did not The Prudent assured but if they did not The Prudent assured but if they did not The Prudent Commander held up his attack for another Commander held up his attack for another Commander held up his attack for another day pure however had no time for such day pure however had no time for such day pure however had no time for such ridiculous piety and when the sacred ridiculous piety and when the sacred ridiculous piety and when the sacred chickens refused to eat he ordered them chickens refused to eat he ordered them chickens refused to eat he ordered them thrown overboard saying famously if thrown overboard saying famously if thrown overboard saying famously if they're not hungry maybe they're thirsty they're not hungry maybe they're thirsty they're not hungry maybe they're thirsty he sailed off into battle though how he he sailed off into battle though how he he sailed off into battle though how he expected to win without the approval of expected to win without the approval of expected to win without the approval of the Sacred chickens is a the Sacred chickens is a the Sacred chickens is a mystery the debacle that followed left mystery the debacle that followed left mystery the debacle that followed left the carthaginians stronger than ever the carthaginians stronger than ever the carthaginians stronger than ever pure's Fleet got started late and was pure's Fleet got started late and was pure's Fleet got started late and was noticed by carthaginian Lookouts before noticed by carthaginian Lookouts before noticed by carthaginian Lookouts before they were within Striking Distance they they were within Striking Distance they they were within Striking Distance they immediately responded by outmaneuvering immediately responded by outmaneuvering immediately responded by outmaneuvering and trapping pure's Fleet against the and trapping pure's Fleet against the and trapping pure's Fleet against the coast where they were smashed against coast where they were smashed against coast where they were smashed against the rocks of the 120 Roman ships that the rocks of the 120 Roman ships that the rocks of the 120 Roman ships that set sail only 30 returned the dream of set sail only 30 returned the dream of set sail only 30 returned the dream of taking Lil bomb had now passed into taking Lil bomb had now passed into taking Lil bomb had now passed into complete complete complete fantasy the other console for the year

fantasy the other console for the year fantasy the other console for the year attempted to reprovision the Roman attempted to reprovision the Roman attempted to reprovision the Roman troops left at lilom by sailing around troops left at lilom by sailing around troops left at lilom by sailing around the south end of the island but lost all the south end of the island but lost all the south end of the island but lost all his ships in yet another his ships in yet another his ships in yet another storm he himself managed to survive and storm he himself managed to survive and storm he himself managed to survive and make his way to LOM where he declared an make his way to LOM where he declared an make his way to LOM where he declared an end to the siege and end to the siege and end to the siege and withdrew when the first Punic War withdrew when the first Punic War withdrew when the first Punic War finally ended 8 years later libom finally ended 8 years later libom finally ended 8 years later libom remained remained remained unconquered but the Romans were not done unconquered but the Romans were not done unconquered but the Romans were not done yet they withdrew their troops to mount yet they withdrew their troops to mount yet they withdrew their troops to mount Eric's a mountain in the West Center of Eric's a mountain in the West Center of Eric's a mountain in the West Center of the island by taking this strategic High the island by taking this strategic High the island by taking this strategic High Ground they were able to bottle up the Ground they were able to bottle up the Ground they were able to bottle up the carthaginian land Force forces in their carthaginian land Force forces in their carthaginian land Force forces in their two garrisons lobon and two garrisons lobon and two garrisons lobon and drana the war had now come full circle drana the war had now come full circle drana the war had now come full circle the Romans controlled the land and the the Romans controlled the land and the the Romans controlled the land and the carthaginians the sea neither was strong carthaginians the sea neither was strong carthaginians the sea neither was strong enough to beat the other in their enough to beat the other in their enough to beat the other in their respective sphere of dominance and a new respective sphere of dominance and a new respective sphere of dominance and a new stalemate stalemate stalemate commenced by this time though both sides commenced by this time though both sides commenced by this time though both sides were broke and short of Manpower and were broke and short of Manpower and were broke and short of Manpower and facing problems elsewhere the GS were facing problems elsewhere the GS were facing problems elsewhere the GS were stirring on Rome's Northern Frontier and stirring on Rome's Northern Frontier and stirring on Rome's Northern Frontier and North Africa was in revolt against North Africa was in revolt against North Africa was in revolt against carthaginian rule the enemies of Rome carthaginian rule the enemies of Rome carthaginian rule the enemies of Rome and car did seem to have finally noticed and car did seem to have finally noticed and car did seem to have finally noticed that the two combatants were beating that the two combatants were beating that the two combatants were beating each other into a state of exhaustion in each other into a state of exhaustion in each other into a state of exhaustion in Sicily and set about trying to exploit Sicily and set about trying to exploit Sicily and set about trying to exploit the the the situation so for the next seven years situation so for the next seven years situation so for the next seven years sicy became a neglected Backwater war sicy became a neglected Backwater war sicy became a neglected Backwater war zone the carthaginians under the command zone the carthaginians under the command zone the carthaginians under the command of a new general hamilcar Baraka was of a new general hamilcar Baraka was of a new general hamilcar Baraka was reduced to running a Guerilla war and reduced to running a Guerilla war and reduced to running a Guerilla war and hoping that the Romans would just quit hoping that the Romans would just quit hoping that the Romans would just quit the island out of the island out of the island out of frustration the center of the action was frustration the center of the action was frustration the center of the action was at Mount Erics where the strongest Roman

at Mount Erics where the strongest Roman at Mount Erics where the strongest Roman Garrison was stationed and where Garrison was stationed and where Garrison was stationed and where hamilcar directed the majority of his hamilcar directed the majority of his hamilcar directed the majority of his attacks in 244 BC hamilcar finally attacks in 244 BC hamilcar finally attacks in 244 BC hamilcar finally managed to drive the Romans out and hold managed to drive the Romans out and hold managed to drive the Romans out and hold the high ground for the high ground for the high ground for himself for the next 3 years he would himself for the next 3 years he would himself for the next 3 years he would use the mountain as a base while he use the mountain as a base while he use the mountain as a base while he prosecuted his asymmetrical war against prosecuted his asymmetrical war against prosecuted his asymmetrical war against the Romans underman and under supplied the Romans underman and under supplied the Romans underman and under supplied by the carthaginian Senate who after a by the carthaginian Senate who after a by the carthaginian Senate who after a political party shift had lost all political party shift had lost all political party shift had lost all interest in the war against interest in the war against interest in the war against Rome seeing carthaginian interested an Rome seeing carthaginian interested an Rome seeing carthaginian interested an all-time low the Romans decided to make all-time low the Romans decided to make all-time low the Romans decided to make their final final push to win the war their final final push to win the war their final final push to win the war after failing first in North Africa and after failing first in North Africa and after failing first in North Africa and then at lbon the Romans Eternal then at lbon the Romans Eternal then at lbon the Romans Eternal optimists that they were decided that optimists that they were decided that optimists that they were decided that the time for victory had finally come the time for victory had finally come the time for victory had finally come they built a new new Fleet starting a they built a new new Fleet starting a they built a new new Fleet starting a Navy from scratch for the fourth time of Navy from scratch for the fourth time of Navy from scratch for the fourth time of the war the carthaginian fleet had been the war the carthaginian fleet had been the war the carthaginian fleet had been removed from Sicily after The removed from Sicily after The removed from Sicily after The Disappearance of Rome from the Seas a Disappearance of Rome from the Seas a Disappearance of Rome from the Seas a few years earlier and there was nothing few years earlier and there was nothing few years earlier and there was nothing standing in the way of the Romans as standing in the way of the Romans as standing in the way of the Romans as they once again blockaded lilom and they once again blockaded lilom and they once again blockaded lilom and drana the last two carthaginian outposts drana the last two carthaginian outposts drana the last two carthaginian outposts on the on the on the island this time the blockades worked island this time the blockades worked island this time the blockades worked and the garrisons were slowly starved and the garrisons were slowly starved and the garrisons were slowly starved out the carthaginians suddenly became out the carthaginians suddenly became out the carthaginians suddenly became interested in Sicily again and launched interested in Sicily again and launched interested in Sicily again and launched their entire fleet to drive the Romans their entire fleet to drive the Romans their entire fleet to drive the Romans off but the hastily mustard Crews were off but the hastily mustard Crews were off but the hastily mustard Crews were this time less experienced than the this time less experienced than the this time less experienced than the Romans who had been at sea for some Romans who had been at sea for some Romans who had been at sea for some time around the northwest coast of time around the northwest coast of time around the northwest coast of Sicily the last battle of the war was Sicily the last battle of the war was Sicily the last battle of the war was fought the Romans decisively routing the fought the Romans decisively routing the fought the Romans decisively routing the carthaginian Navy the Garrison's about

carthaginian Navy the Garrison's about carthaginian Navy the Garrison's about to fall and with no way of keeping to fall and with no way of keeping to fall and with no way of keeping himself provisioned hamilcar reluctantly himself provisioned hamilcar reluctantly himself provisioned hamilcar reluctantly opened negotiations with the opened negotiations with the opened negotiations with the Romans the final treaty hammered out by Romans the final treaty hammered out by Romans the final treaty hammered out by hamar and his Roman counterpart read hamar and his Roman counterpart read hamar and his Roman counterpart read there shall be peace between the there shall be peace between the there shall be peace between the carthaginians and the Romans subject to carthaginians and the Romans subject to carthaginians and the Romans subject to the approval by the Roman people upon the approval by the Roman people upon the approval by the Roman people upon these conditions the carthaginians shall these conditions the carthaginians shall these conditions the carthaginians shall relinquish every part of Sicily they are relinquish every part of Sicily they are relinquish every part of Sicily they are not to make war against Hyo nor do not to make war against Hyo nor do not to make war against Hyo nor do anything to disturb the syracusan or anything to disturb the syracusan or anything to disturb the syracusan or their allies all the Roman prisoners their allies all the Roman prisoners their allies all the Roman prisoners will be returned without Ransom and a will be returned without Ransom and a will be returned without Ransom and a tribute of 200 talents of silver paid tribute of 200 talents of silver paid tribute of 200 talents of silver paid within 20 within 20 within 20 years returning to Carthage hamilcar years returning to Carthage hamilcar years returning to Carthage hamilcar immediately began to look elsewhere for immediately began to look elsewhere for immediately began to look elsewhere for an opportunity to make up for carthage's an opportunity to make up for carthage's an opportunity to make up for carthage's loss of Sicily and set his SES on Spain loss of Sicily and set his SES on Spain loss of Sicily and set his SES on Spain he did not forget the humiliation of he did not forget the humiliation of he did not forget the humiliation of having to abandon Mount Erics however having to abandon Mount Erics however having to abandon Mount Erics however and as he sailed North with his eldest and as he sailed North with his eldest and as he sailed North with his eldest son Hannibal and toe he made the son Hannibal and toe he made the son Hannibal and toe he made the 9-year-old boy swear an oath of Eternal 9-year-old boy swear an oath of Eternal 9-year-old boy swear an oath of Eternal hatred for the Romans which the boy did hatred for the Romans which the boy did hatred for the Romans which the boy did it was an oath Hannibal never forgot and it was an oath Hannibal never forgot and it was an oath Hannibal never forgot and he would dedicate his entire life to the he would dedicate his entire life to the he would dedicate his entire life to the destruction of the Romans the mortal destruction of the Romans the mortal destruction of the Romans the mortal enemy of his enemy of his enemy of his family the first Punic War was now over family the first Punic War was now over family the first Punic War was now over and Rome was the clear Victor however and Rome was the clear Victor however and Rome was the clear Victor however the peace settlement did not address the the peace settlement did not address the the peace settlement did not address the larger issues still facing the two larger issues still facing the two larger issues still facing the two strongest empires in the Western strongest empires in the Western strongest empires in the Western Mediterranean yes Rome had won control Mediterranean yes Rome had won control Mediterranean yes Rome had won control of Sicily and the carthaginians had been of Sicily and the carthaginians had been of Sicily and the carthaginians had been forced to retreat but the north Africans forced to retreat but the north Africans forced to retreat but the north Africans were undeterred in their quest for were undeterred in their quest for were undeterred in their quest for territorial territorial territorial expansion the first Punic War settled

expansion the first Punic War settled expansion the first Punic War settled the issue of who controlled the island the issue of who controlled the island the issue of who controlled the island of Sicily but did nothing to settle the of Sicily but did nothing to settle the of Sicily but did nothing to settle the larger issues of who controlled the larger issues of who controlled the larger issues of who controlled the greater greater greater Mediterranean in that larger game the Mediterranean in that larger game the Mediterranean in that larger game the carthaginians still obviously felt carthaginians still obviously felt carthaginians still obviously felt confident that they could confident that they could confident that they could win the first Punic War as I said last win the first Punic War as I said last win the first Punic War as I said last week was marked by poor judgment on both week was marked by poor judgment on both week was marked by poor judgment on both sides and ironically it was the sides and ironically it was the sides and ironically it was the Victorious Romans who seemed to make Victorious Romans who seemed to make Victorious Romans who seemed to make more boneheaded moves than defeated more boneheaded moves than defeated more boneheaded moves than defeated carthaginians regulus blew an carthaginians regulus blew an carthaginians regulus blew an opportunity to end the war and because opportunity to end the war and because opportunity to end the war and because he let his ego get in the way the he let his ego get in the way the he let his ego get in the way the conflict dragged on 10 years longer than conflict dragged on 10 years longer than conflict dragged on 10 years longer than it should have the neoy Roman Sailors it should have the neoy Roman Sailors it should have the neoy Roman Sailors managed to lose two entire fleets to managed to lose two entire fleets to managed to lose two entire fleets to storms storms they were warned about in storms storms they were warned about in storms storms they were warned about in advance by the way and another to Claus advance by the way and another to Claus advance by the way and another to Claus polur botched midnight raid if it had polur botched midnight raid if it had polur botched midnight raid if it had been anyone else each of these disasters been anyone else each of these disasters been anyone else each of these disasters by themselves would have been enough to by themselves would have been enough to by themselves would have been enough to shut down the war but the Romans were shut down the war but the Romans were shut down the war but the Romans were able to absorb the losses and it was able to absorb the losses and it was able to absorb the losses and it was their Deep Pockets more than Battlefield their Deep Pockets more than Battlefield their Deep Pockets more than Battlefield skill which they weree to skill which they weree to skill which they weree to Victory the carthaginians for their part Victory the carthaginians for their part Victory the carthaginians for their part found themselves succumbing as much to found themselves succumbing as much to found themselves succumbing as much to the reputation of the Romans as anything the reputation of the Romans as anything the reputation of the Romans as anything else despite the fact that zanthus else despite the fact that zanthus else despite the fact that zanthus clearly demonstrated that the Romans clearly demonstrated that the Romans clearly demonstrated that the Romans could be beaten on land the could be beaten on land the could be beaten on land the carthaginians were reluctant to invest carthaginians were reluctant to invest carthaginians were reluctant to invest in their land in their land in their land forces after the last of their fleet was forces after the last of their fleet was forces after the last of their fleet was dashed on the rocks in 248 BC the Romans dashed on the rocks in 248 BC the Romans dashed on the rocks in 248 BC the Romans essentially seeded the water to Carthage essentially seeded the water to Carthage essentially seeded the water to Carthage but with one theater of the war now shut but with one theater of the war now shut but with one theater of the war now shut down the carthaginians failed to capit down the carthaginians failed to capit down the carthaginians failed to capit ize on it and divert resources to the ize on it and divert resources to the ize on it and divert resources to the other theater and left Hamil Carter run

other theater and left Hamil Carter run other theater and left Hamil Carter run a gorilla war on a shoestring budget a gorilla war on a shoestring budget a gorilla war on a shoestring budget rather than give him men and money to rather than give him men and money to rather than give him men and money to prosecute a real ground attack the prosecute a real ground attack the prosecute a real ground attack the winner of the first Punic War was always winner of the first Punic War was always winner of the first Punic War was always going to be the side that succeeded on going to be the side that succeeded on going to be the side that succeeded on the other team's field so it went to the the other team's field so it went to the the other team's field so it went to the Romans who finally raised one last Romans who finally raised one last Romans who finally raised one last Navy if the carthaginians had sucked it Navy if the carthaginians had sucked it Navy if the carthaginians had sucked it up and done the same thing only building up and done the same thing only building up and done the same thing only building an army rather than a Navy they may have an army rather than a Navy they may have an army rather than a Navy they may have succeeded in pushing the war War weary succeeded in pushing the war War weary succeeded in pushing the war War weary Romans off the island it would have been Romans off the island it would have been Romans off the island it would have been an interesting historical turn had that an interesting historical turn had that an interesting historical turn had that occurred the war marked the first time occurred the war marked the first time occurred the war marked the first time Rome fought outside of Italy and had Rome fought outside of Italy and had Rome fought outside of Italy and had they lost overseas fighting may have they lost overseas fighting may have they lost overseas fighting may have left a bad enough taste in their mouth left a bad enough taste in their mouth left a bad enough taste in their mouth that they would have contented that they would have contented that they would have contented themselves with merely an Italian themselves with merely an Italian themselves with merely an Italian Empire as it stood now however Rome's Empire as it stood now however Rome's Empire as it stood now however Rome's first oversea Adventure had left them first oversea Adventure had left them first oversea Adventure had left them with a rich new Province and it merely with a rich new Province and it merely with a rich new Province and it merely wetted their appetite for more next week we will cover the years more next week we will cover the years between the first and second Punic Wars between the first and second Punic Wars between the first and second Punic Wars Rome would face a gallic army pressing Rome would face a gallic army pressing Rome would face a gallic army pressing down from the north and also make their down from the north and also make their down from the north and also make their first for east landing an Army on the first for east landing an Army on the first for east landing an Army on the far side of the far side of the far side of the Adriatic all the while Carthage was Adriatic all the while Carthage was Adriatic all the while Carthage was consolidating its Holdings in Spain both consolidating its Holdings in Spain both consolidating its Holdings in Spain both sides knew the peace between them could sides knew the peace between them could sides knew the peace between them could not last forever it was only a matter of not last forever it was only a matter of not last forever it was only a matter of time before hostilities between the two time before hostilities between the two time before hostilities between the two great Powers great Powers great Powers resumed in 218 BC the peace would resumed in 218 BC the peace would resumed in 218 BC the peace would finally break and Hannibal Baraka would finally break and Hannibal Baraka would finally break and Hannibal Baraka would make good on his oath descend into Italy make good on his oath descend into Italy make good on his oath descend into Italy and wreck havoc not just in the Roman

and wreck havoc not just in the Roman and wreck havoc not just in the Roman Countryside but in the Roman Countryside but in the Roman Countryside but in the Roman [Music] [Music] mind hello and welcome to the history of mind hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 21 Rome episode 21 Rome episode 21 interbellum for both the Romans and the interbellum for both the Romans and the interbellum for both the Romans and the carthaginians the first Punic War had carthaginians the first Punic War had carthaginians the first Punic War had been an exhausting experience Rome been an exhausting experience Rome been an exhausting experience Rome emerged in a better position emerged in a better position emerged in a better position geopolitically speaking but both sides geopolitically speaking but both sides geopolitically speaking but both sides had been drained of money and Manpower had been drained of money and Manpower had been drained of money and Manpower and were significantly weaker for the and were significantly weaker for the and were significantly weaker for the great effort they had expended over great effort they had expended over great effort they had expended over Sicily as a consequence both sides were Sicily as a consequence both sides were Sicily as a consequence both sides were vulnerable to attack from opportunistic vulnerable to attack from opportunistic vulnerable to attack from opportunistic enemies I will only briefly review the enemies I will only briefly review the enemies I will only briefly review the challenges faced by the north Africans challenges faced by the north Africans challenges faced by the north Africans during the inter War period before during the inter War period before during the inter War period before moving on to a detailed look at the moving on to a detailed look at the moving on to a detailed look at the Roman confrontations with G armies to Roman confrontations with G armies to Roman confrontations with G armies to the north and yyan Pirates across the the north and yyan Pirates across the the north and yyan Pirates across the Adriatic this is after all the history Adriatic this is after all the history Adriatic this is after all the history of Rome not the history of Carthage so of Rome not the history of Carthage so of Rome not the history of Carthage so to quickly sum up carthage's major to quickly sum up carthage's major to quickly sum up carthage's major post-war problem let me just say that post-war problem let me just say that post-war problem let me just say that the carthaginians ignored one of life's the carthaginians ignored one of life's the carthaginians ignored one of life's basic rules do not stiff basic rules do not stiff basic rules do not stiff mercenaries essentially the new party mercenaries essentially the new party mercenaries essentially the new party that had taken control of Carthage in that had taken control of Carthage in that had taken control of Carthage in the last years of the war saw the the last years of the war saw the the last years of the war saw the conflict with Rome as a diversion from conflict with Rome as a diversion from conflict with Rome as a diversion from their main objective making money when their main objective making money when their main objective making money when the war ended the mercenaries arrived in the war ended the mercenaries arrived in the war ended the mercenaries arrived in North Africa from Sicily and patiently North Africa from Sicily and patiently North Africa from Sicily and patiently waited for their due payment but the new

waited for their due payment but the new waited for their due payment but the new carthaginian government was strapped for carthaginian government was strapped for carthaginian government was strapped for cash and decided a good way to save cash and decided a good way to save cash and decided a good way to save money and reduce the final bill for the money and reduce the final bill for the money and reduce the final bill for the war would be to drastically cut payments war would be to drastically cut payments war would be to drastically cut payments to their soon to be ex to their soon to be ex to their soon to be ex employees how they thought this would employees how they thought this would employees how they thought this would not blow up in their face is still a not blow up in their face is still a not blow up in their face is still a mystery when the carthaginian pay mystery when the carthaginian pay mystery when the carthaginian pay masters arrived at the mercenary Camp masters arrived at the mercenary Camp masters arrived at the mercenary Camp the troops who were beginning to lose the troops who were beginning to lose the troops who were beginning to lose their cool because they had not yet been their cool because they had not yet been their cool because they had not yet been paid began to settle down yeah there had paid began to settle down yeah there had paid began to settle down yeah there had been a delay but the carthaginians were been a delay but the carthaginians were been a delay but the carthaginians were good to their word and here at last was good to their word and here at last was good to their word and here at last was the riches they had just spent years the riches they had just spent years the riches they had just spent years earning with their blood and earning with their blood and earning with their blood and sweat the carthaginian envoys however sweat the carthaginian envoys however sweat the carthaginian envoys however launched into a speech that I can only launched into a speech that I can only launched into a speech that I can only imagine sounds eerily familiar to imagine sounds eerily familiar to imagine sounds eerily familiar to employees who have listened to a layoff employees who have listened to a layoff employees who have listened to a layoff announcement we want to thank everybody announcement we want to thank everybody announcement we want to thank everybody for their hard work the future looks for their hard work the future looks for their hard work the future looks bright for Carthage we just need to bright for Carthage we just need to bright for Carthage we just need to streamline our liquidity outflow to streamline our liquidity outflow to streamline our liquidity outflow to maximize our revenue streams going maximize our revenue streams going maximize our revenue streams going forward so anyway you're all fired and forward so anyway you're all fired and forward so anyway you're all fired and oh by the way your Severance packages oh by the way your Severance packages oh by the way your Severance packages have been have been have been cancelled to say the least the cancelled to say the least the cancelled to say the least the mercenaries did not take this lying down mercenaries did not take this lying down mercenaries did not take this lying down they did not write letters to the editor they did not write letters to the editor they did not write letters to the editor railing against the Injustice of the new railing against the Injustice of the new railing against the Injustice of the new global economy as they touched up their global economy as they touched up their global economy as they touched up their resumés they grabbed their swords and resumés they grabbed their swords and resumés they grabbed their swords and said trying to screw us a we'll see said trying to screw us a we'll see said trying to screw us a we'll see about that for the next 3 years Carthage about that for the next 3 years Carthage about that for the next 3 years Carthage was locked in a war with its ex Army a was locked in a war with its ex Army a was locked in a war with its ex Army a very dicey proposition when the whole very dicey proposition when the whole very dicey proposition when the whole reason you hired The Mercenaries in the reason you hired The Mercenaries in the reason you hired The Mercenaries in the first place was that you didn't have a first place was that you didn't have a first place was that you didn't have a homegrown Army of your own to speak of homegrown Army of your own to speak of homegrown Army of your own to speak of but Carthage found some change in the but Carthage found some change in the but Carthage found some change in the couch cushions and hired different couch cushions and hired different couch cushions and hired different mercenaries to fight the aggrieved

mercenaries to fight the aggrieved mercenaries to fight the aggrieved mercenaries Carthage eventually won the mercenaries Carthage eventually won the mercenaries Carthage eventually won the fight but the whole thing wound up fight but the whole thing wound up fight but the whole thing wound up costing more than if the carthaginians costing more than if the carthaginians costing more than if the carthaginians had just paid up in the first place had just paid up in the first place had just paid up in the first place there's a lesson in there somewhere there's a lesson in there somewhere there's a lesson in there somewhere something about how easy life is when something about how easy life is when something about how easy life is when you simply live up to your obligations you simply live up to your obligations you simply live up to your obligations and how difficult it becomes when you and how difficult it becomes when you and how difficult it becomes when you reneg on promises that and always pay reneg on promises that and always pay reneg on promises that and always pay your mercenaries in full plus 10% your mercenaries in full plus 10% your mercenaries in full plus 10% the Romans on the other hand were not the Romans on the other hand were not the Romans on the other hand were not dealing with internal divisions but dealing with internal divisions but dealing with internal divisions but rather external rather external rather external pressures to put it broadly there were pressures to put it broadly there were pressures to put it broadly there were two competing Visions for the way the two competing Visions for the way the two competing Visions for the way the Roman Empire ought to grow and two Roman Empire ought to grow and two Roman Empire ought to grow and two families who embodied those competing families who embodied those competing families who embodied those competing Visions on the one hand were the claudi Visions on the one hand were the claudi Visions on the one hand were the claudi who as we have already seen pushed for who as we have already seen pushed for who as we have already seen pushed for southern expansion and pressed for the southern expansion and pressed for the southern expansion and pressed for the invasion of Sicily on the other hand invasion of Sicily on the other hand invasion of Sicily on the other hand were the fabii who looked North and were the fabii who looked North and were the fabii who looked North and pressed for Roman settlement of the po pressed for Roman settlement of the po pressed for Roman settlement of the po valley at one point the atrans had held valley at one point the atrans had held valley at one point the atrans had held this land but by the time VA was this land but by the time VA was this land but by the time VA was captured by Rome the po valley had been captured by Rome the po valley had been captured by Rome the po valley had been lost to migrating gallic tribes so for lost to migrating gallic tribes so for lost to migrating gallic tribes so for Rome expansion North meant poking with a Rome expansion North meant poking with a Rome expansion North meant poking with a stick one of their most feared enemies stick one of their most feared enemies stick one of their most feared enemies the Galls it had been 15 years since the the Galls it had been 15 years since the the Galls it had been 15 years since the sack of Rome but the memory of Barbarian sack of Rome but the memory of Barbarian sack of Rome but the memory of Barbarian hordes pouring through the gates was hordes pouring through the gates was hordes pouring through the gates was still fresh and indeed fear of the Galls still fresh and indeed fear of the Galls still fresh and indeed fear of the Galls was a psychological demon the Romans was a psychological demon the Romans was a psychological demon the Romans would never fully would never fully would never fully overcome but for the fabii this was overcome but for the fabii this was overcome but for the fabii this was immaterial Rome's Destiny was the immaterial Rome's Destiny was the immaterial Rome's Destiny was the conquest of the entire world and they conquest of the entire world and they conquest of the entire world and they weren't going to let childish fears halt weren't going to let childish fears halt weren't going to let childish fears halt the inexurable advance of the

the inexurable advance of the the inexurable advance of the Empire Rome did not explicitly pick a Empire Rome did not explicitly pick a Empire Rome did not explicitly pick a fight with the guls but the permanent fight with the guls but the permanent fight with the guls but the permanent settlements they were building in G settlements they were building in G settlements they were building in G territory were obviously going to spark territory were obviously going to spark territory were obviously going to spark some sort of response in 241 BC a single some sort of response in 241 BC a single some sort of response in 241 BC a single gallic tribe rose up against the Romans gallic tribe rose up against the Romans gallic tribe rose up against the Romans but were put down with ease a few years but were put down with ease a few years but were put down with ease a few years later in 236 BC a peacemeal coalition of later in 236 BC a peacemeal coalition of later in 236 BC a peacemeal coalition of tribes and factions began to March South tribes and factions began to March South tribes and factions began to March South but when they actually stood on the but when they actually stood on the but when they actually stood on the brink of engaging the legions internal brink of engaging the legions internal brink of engaging the legions internal squabbles broke up the Coalition and the squabbles broke up the Coalition and the squabbles broke up the Coalition and the threat dematerialized before the Romans threat dematerialized before the Romans threat dematerialized before the Romans grateful grateful grateful eyes these minor uprisings were warning eyes these minor uprisings were warning eyes these minor uprisings were warning shots and the Romans did not dismiss shots and the Romans did not dismiss shots and the Romans did not dismiss them Rome was in the process of annexing them Rome was in the process of annexing them Rome was in the process of annexing the gall tribes right out of existence the gall tribes right out of existence the gall tribes right out of existence eventually The Barbarians would have to eventually The Barbarians would have to eventually The Barbarians would have to fight or Die the Romans knew this and so fight or Die the Romans knew this and so fight or Die the Romans knew this and so made their preparations made their preparations made their preparations accordingly but before the final accordingly but before the final accordingly but before the final showdown came Roman attention was showdown came Roman attention was showdown came Roman attention was diverted from the gallic threat in a diverted from the gallic threat in a diverted from the gallic threat in a direction it had never looked before direction it had never looked before direction it had never looked before East the Adriatic had stood as The East the Adriatic had stood as The East the Adriatic had stood as The Unofficial dividing line between the Unofficial dividing line between the Unofficial dividing line between the Eastern and Western Mediterranean for Eastern and Western Mediterranean for Eastern and Western Mediterranean for hundreds if not thousands of years but hundreds if not thousands of years but hundreds if not thousands of years but the division was about to break down the division was about to break down the division was about to break down completely the process of integration completely the process of integration completely the process of integration begun by purus as he tried to impose the begun by purus as he tried to impose the begun by purus as he tried to impose the east on the west would be completed by east on the west would be completed by east on the west would be completed by Rome when they ultimately imposed the Rome when they ultimately imposed the Rome when they ultimately imposed the West on the east West on the east West on the east Rome's first official contact with the Rome's first official contact with the Rome's first official contact with the Greek world as an equal power came Greek world as an equal power came Greek world as an equal power came around 230 BC after yyan piracy finally around 230 BC after yyan piracy finally around 230 BC after yyan piracy finally grew to be

grew to be grew to be intolerable ancient yria what we know of intolerable ancient yria what we know of intolerable ancient yria what we know of today as the Balkans represented the Far today as the Balkans represented the Far today as the Balkans represented the Far West reaches of the Greek World Greeks West reaches of the Greek World Greeks West reaches of the Greek World Greeks in Athens or Corinth viewed the yans as in Athens or Corinth viewed the yans as in Athens or Corinth viewed the yans as barbarians Living On The Fringe of the barbarians Living On The Fringe of the barbarians Living On The Fringe of the Civilized world and hardly worthy even Civilized world and hardly worthy even Civilized world and hardly worthy even of contempt but then again the Greeks of of contempt but then again the Greeks of of contempt but then again the Greeks of Athens and corn view the macedonians the Athens and corn view the macedonians the Athens and corn view the macedonians the same way so we can fairly take their same way so we can fairly take their same way so we can fairly take their snobbery with a grain of salt the New snobbery with a grain of salt the New snobbery with a grain of salt the New Kingdom of Alyria had formed around 240 Kingdom of Alyria had formed around 240 Kingdom of Alyria had formed around 240 BC and at its height controlled the BC and at its height controlled the BC and at its height controlled the entire Eastern Seaboard of the Adriatic entire Eastern Seaboard of the Adriatic entire Eastern Seaboard of the Adriatic including the once independent Kingdom including the once independent Kingdom including the once independent Kingdom of of of ayrus the Kingdom did not extend far ayrus the Kingdom did not extend far ayrus the Kingdom did not extend far inland however and as a result the yans inland however and as a result the yans inland however and as a result the yans looked to the Sea as their major source looked to the Sea as their major source looked to the Sea as their major source of wealth and of wealth and of wealth and power but the economy of this new power power but the economy of this new power power but the economy of this new power was not run by an association of was not run by an association of was not run by an association of scrupulous Merchant and traitor but scrupulous Merchant and traitor but scrupulous Merchant and traitor but rather by a gang of pirates and rather by a gang of pirates and rather by a gang of pirates and privateers much like the barbery states privateers much like the barbery states privateers much like the barbery states of the 18th century AIA was a recognized of the 18th century AIA was a recognized of the 18th century AIA was a recognized Sovereign funded entirely by criminal Sovereign funded entirely by criminal Sovereign funded entirely by criminal activity they were tolerated by the activity they were tolerated by the activity they were tolerated by the Greeks because the targets of the piracy Greeks because the targets of the piracy Greeks because the targets of the piracy were non- Greeks and the goods from the were non- Greeks and the goods from the were non- Greeks and the goods from the West still made their way to Eastern West still made their way to Eastern West still made their way to Eastern markets often at a reduced price what markets often at a reduced price what markets often at a reduced price what with a low overhead outright theft with a low overhead outright theft with a low overhead outright theft provides the Romans however who were the provides the Romans however who were the provides the Romans however who were the targets of the piracy took a very targets of the piracy took a very targets of the piracy took a very different view it was a menace that had different view it was a menace that had different view it was a menace that had to be dealt with little was done at to be dealt with little was done at to be dealt with little was done at first but when the alyans began to first but when the alyans began to first but when the alyans began to boldly attack Roman port cities the dam boldly attack Roman port cities the dam boldly attack Roman port cities the dam of restraint was broken and in 228 BC

of restraint was broken and in 228 BC of restraint was broken and in 228 BC Rome launched itself against the yans Rome launched itself against the yans Rome launched itself against the yans with brutal with brutal with brutal Precision at the same time as the Precision at the same time as the Precision at the same time as the military campaign was launched against military campaign was launched against military campaign was launched against the yyan cities along the Adriatic Rome the yyan cities along the Adriatic Rome the yyan cities along the Adriatic Rome also launched a diplomatic mission to also launched a diplomatic mission to also launched a diplomatic mission to Greece to explain what they were about Greece to explain what they were about Greece to explain what they were about to to to do the Romans wanted to make sure the do the Romans wanted to make sure the do the Romans wanted to make sure the Greeks understood that the war with ayia Greeks understood that the war with ayia Greeks understood that the war with ayia was limited in scope and would be over was limited in scope and would be over was limited in scope and would be over when the pirate Menace was when the pirate Menace was when the pirate Menace was crushed yes Roman troops were about to crushed yes Roman troops were about to crushed yes Roman troops were about to set foot in Greek territory but there set foot in Greek territory but there set foot in Greek territory but there were no plans for them to remain longer were no plans for them to remain longer were no plans for them to remain longer than necessary and no further invasions than necessary and no further invasions than necessary and no further invasions East were East were East were planned the Greeks took this to heart planned the Greeks took this to heart planned the Greeks took this to heart and the Romans were well received and the Romans were well received and the Romans were well received marking the official beginning of marking the official beginning of marking the official beginning of diplomatic relations between Rome and diplomatic relations between Rome and diplomatic relations between Rome and the great cities of the great cities of the great cities of Greece the Greeks still viewed the Greece the Greeks still viewed the Greece the Greeks still viewed the Romans as backward barbarians but the Romans as backward barbarians but the Romans as backward barbarians but the power of Rome was at least acknowledged power of Rome was at least acknowledged power of Rome was at least acknowledged the Corinthians even going so far as to the Corinthians even going so far as to the Corinthians even going so far as to invite Rome to take part in the ithan invite Rome to take part in the ithan invite Rome to take part in the ithan games which finalized the acceptance of games which finalized the acceptance of games which finalized the acceptance of Rome into the Greek political world as a Rome into the Greek political world as a Rome into the Greek political world as a full full full equal there was also another element to equal there was also another element to equal there was also another element to the Diplomatic Mission which was the Diplomatic Mission which was the Diplomatic Mission which was secondary to the mission at hand but secondary to the mission at hand but secondary to the mission at hand but would far outstrip the yyan pirate would far outstrip the yyan pirate would far outstrip the yyan pirate question in Ultimate question in Ultimate question in Ultimate importance the macedonians have been importance the macedonians have been importance the macedonians have been consolidating their empire again much to consolidating their empire again much to consolidating their empire again much to the dismay of Greece proper the Romans the dismay of Greece proper the Romans the dismay of Greece proper the Romans too looked at the successors of too looked at the successors of too looked at the successors of Alexander with concern they had their Alexander with concern they had their Alexander with concern they had their hands full with Carthage in the west and hands full with Carthage in the west and hands full with Carthage in the west and had no desire to have their back door had no desire to have their back door had no desire to have their back door kicked down by a newly resurgent kicked down by a newly resurgent kicked down by a newly resurgent Macedonian Empire the Romans needed

Macedonian Empire the Romans needed Macedonian Empire the Romans needed allies in Greece who could tie the hands allies in Greece who could tie the hands allies in Greece who could tie the hands of Macedon and protect the Roman Eastern of Macedon and protect the Roman Eastern of Macedon and protect the Roman Eastern flank and the Greeks needed money and flank and the Greeks needed money and flank and the Greeks needed money and equipment to pull off any sustained equipment to pull off any sustained equipment to pull off any sustained engagement these Mutual overtures would engagement these Mutual overtures would engagement these Mutual overtures would come to fruition during the Second Punic come to fruition during the Second Punic come to fruition during the Second Punic War when Philip I of Macedon signed a War when Philip I of Macedon signed a War when Philip I of Macedon signed a treaty with Hannibal to join in the war treaty with Hannibal to join in the war treaty with Hannibal to join in the war against Rome Philip may have been able against Rome Philip may have been able against Rome Philip may have been able to tilt the scales decisively against to tilt the scales decisively against to tilt the scales decisively against Rome but he never made it out of Greece Rome but he never made it out of Greece Rome but he never made it out of Greece as Roman allies there opened up front as Roman allies there opened up front as Roman allies there opened up front after front and kept Philip plugging after front and kept Philip plugging after front and kept Philip plugging leaks in his Empire rather than marching leaks in his Empire rather than marching leaks in his Empire rather than marching his armies across the Italian Peninsula his armies across the Italian Peninsula his armies across the Italian Peninsula and joining with Hannibal to form an and joining with Hannibal to form an and joining with Hannibal to form an invincible anti-roman invincible anti-roman invincible anti-roman Army Rome was saved then by The Army Rome was saved then by The Army Rome was saved then by The Diplomatic groundwork laid at the Diplomatic groundwork laid at the Diplomatic groundwork laid at the beginning of the yyan beginning of the yyan beginning of the yyan Expedition free to take out the Pirates Expedition free to take out the Pirates Expedition free to take out the Pirates with Greek blessing the Romans then with Greek blessing the Romans then with Greek blessing the Romans then proceeded with deliberate strategic and proceeded with deliberate strategic and proceeded with deliberate strategic and tactical skill that completely tactical skill that completely tactical skill that completely outclassed the Aryans in less than a outclassed the Aryans in less than a outclassed the Aryans in less than a year the major cities of Alyria were year the major cities of Alyria were year the major cities of Alyria were under Roman control and the yyan queen under Roman control and the yyan queen under Roman control and the yyan queen was sending envoys to Rome asking for was sending envoys to Rome asking for was sending envoys to Rome asking for peace the terms were harsh yian ships peace the terms were harsh yian ships peace the terms were harsh yian ships were banished from the Adriatic and were banished from the Adriatic and were banished from the Adriatic and Southern yria opposite the heel of Italy Southern yria opposite the heel of Italy Southern yria opposite the heel of Italy was annexed and established as a Roman was annexed and established as a Roman was annexed and established as a Roman protectorate the Romans had achieved a protectorate the Romans had achieved a protectorate the Romans had achieved a dual victory not only had they dual victory not only had they dual victory not only had they eradicated the threat of piracy but they eradicated the threat of piracy but they eradicated the threat of piracy but they also had set up now a permanent base on also had set up now a permanent base on also had set up now a permanent base on the far side of the Adriatic where they the far side of the Adriatic where they the far side of the Adriatic where they could keep an eye on the growing could keep an eye on the growing could keep an eye on the growing Macedonian Macedonian Macedonian threat the quick end to the yyan threat the quick end to the yyan threat the quick end to the yyan campaign turned out to be a major

campaign turned out to be a major campaign turned out to be a major blessing not just for its own sake but blessing not just for its own sake but blessing not just for its own sake but because the G storm was brewing again because the G storm was brewing again because the G storm was brewing again and this time it would not simply break and this time it would not simply break and this time it would not simply break up and leave a pleasant afternoon in its up and leave a pleasant afternoon in its up and leave a pleasant afternoon in its wake this time the Galls were United and wake this time the Galls were United and wake this time the Galls were United and driven in 226 BC the Galls began to pour driven in 226 BC the Galls began to pour driven in 226 BC the Galls began to pour through the Alps intent on sacking Rome through the Alps intent on sacking Rome through the Alps intent on sacking Rome a second time to face the invasion Rome a second time to face the invasion Rome a second time to face the invasion Rome mustered an unprecedented number of men mustered an unprecedented number of men mustered an unprecedented number of men they turned out the full fighting they turned out the full fighting they turned out the full fighting capacity of the Italian Peninsula with capacity of the Italian Peninsula with capacity of the Italian Peninsula with every Italian Community committing every Italian Community committing every Italian Community committing themselves fully to what could only be themselves fully to what could only be themselves fully to what could only be considered a fight for civilization considered a fight for civilization considered a fight for civilization itself accounts have as many as 700,000 itself accounts have as many as 700,000 itself accounts have as many as 700,000 infantry and 70,000 Cavalry being raised infantry and 70,000 Cavalry being raised infantry and 70,000 Cavalry being raised not all of these were First Rate not all of these were First Rate not all of these were First Rate legionnaires and many were employed legionnaires and many were employed legionnaires and many were employed merely for local defense but still it merely for local defense but still it merely for local defense but still it gives you an idea of how seriously the gives you an idea of how seriously the gives you an idea of how seriously the Romans took the Romans took the Romans took the threat armies were divided up and sent threat armies were divided up and sent threat armies were divided up and sent to cover key strategic points but the GS to cover key strategic points but the GS to cover key strategic points but the GS were able to more or less March all the were able to more or less March all the were able to more or less March all the way to clusium in southern aturia before way to clusium in southern aturia before way to clusium in southern aturia before they met any they met any they met any resistance the first battle went poorly resistance the first battle went poorly resistance the first battle went poorly for the Romans and their armies were for the Romans and their armies were for the Romans and their armies were trapped by the GS but the Invaders took trapped by the GS but the Invaders took trapped by the GS but the Invaders took the opportunity to pillage the the opportunity to pillage the the opportunity to pillage the countryside rather than maintain their countryside rather than maintain their countryside rather than maintain their vigil over the Romans and the trapped vigil over the Romans and the trapped vigil over the Romans and the trapped Legions were were able to Legions were were able to Legions were were able to escape this greed wound up being the escape this greed wound up being the escape this greed wound up being the undoing of the gall Army when the G undoing of the gall Army when the G undoing of the gall Army when the G settled into camp that night the settled into camp that night the settled into camp that night the decision was made by the chieftain to decision was made by the chieftain to decision was made by the chieftain to put the sack of Rome on hold for the put the sack of Rome on hold for the put the sack of Rome on hold for the moment the Chiefs recognized that their moment the Chiefs recognized that their moment the Chiefs recognized that their men were too Laden with booty to fight

men were too Laden with booty to fight men were too Laden with booty to fight effectively and unwilling to give up effectively and unwilling to give up effectively and unwilling to give up their spoils decided to March back North their spoils decided to March back North their spoils decided to March back North and deposit their gains before returning and deposit their gains before returning and deposit their gains before returning to finish the to finish the to finish the job they chose a route up the at truscan job they chose a route up the at truscan job they chose a route up the at truscan Coastline that offered the easiest Coastline that offered the easiest Coastline that offered the easiest passage for their overloaded pack passage for their overloaded pack passage for their overloaded pack animals but this proved to be a animals but this proved to be a animals but this proved to be a horrendous horrendous horrendous mistake the passage lay between the sea mistake the passage lay between the sea mistake the passage lay between the sea to the west and steep hills to the East to the west and steep hills to the East to the west and steep hills to the East and only permitted movement North or and only permitted movement North or and only permitted movement North or South a Roman army picked up the GIC South a Roman army picked up the GIC South a Roman army picked up the GIC movement and came down from the north movement and came down from the north movement and came down from the north plugging up the passage the GS decided plugging up the passage the GS decided plugging up the passage the GS decided to turn around and try a different route to turn around and try a different route to turn around and try a different route but it was too late the Roman army they but it was too late the Roman army they but it was too late the Roman army they had led Escape came up from the south had led Escape came up from the south had led Escape came up from the south trapping the GS in the pass the Romans trapping the GS in the pass the Romans trapping the GS in the pass the Romans were lighted at their strategic coup but were lighted at their strategic coup but were lighted at their strategic coup but immediately were filled with unease as immediately were filled with unease as immediately were filled with unease as they watched 50,000 trapped in Desperate they watched 50,000 trapped in Desperate they watched 50,000 trapped in Desperate Galls ready themselves for a fight to Galls ready themselves for a fight to Galls ready themselves for a fight to the the the death it was a hard and bloody battle death it was a hard and bloody battle death it was a hard and bloody battle but the GS eventually could not maintain but the GS eventually could not maintain but the GS eventually could not maintain both fronts and were crushed between the both fronts and were crushed between the both fronts and were crushed between the two Roman two Roman two Roman lines with the main force of the Galls lines with the main force of the Galls lines with the main force of the Galls now destroyed the Romans turned to the now destroyed the Romans turned to the now destroyed the Romans turned to the other subsidiary Gall Army still roaming other subsidiary Gall Army still roaming other subsidiary Gall Army still roaming the countryside defeating them one by the countryside defeating them one by the countryside defeating them one by one the threat posed by The Invasion one the threat posed by The Invasion one the threat posed by The Invasion thus ended the Romans pressed their thus ended the Romans pressed their thus ended the Romans pressed their advantage and cleared the Galls out of advantage and cleared the Galls out of advantage and cleared the Galls out of Italy Italy Italy altogether the Italian land just south altogether the Italian land just south altogether the Italian land just south of the Alps which had long been of the Alps which had long been of the Alps which had long been considered a part of Gaul was now firmly considered a part of Gaul was now firmly considered a part of Gaul was now firmly Roman territory and would remain so for Roman territory and would remain so for Roman territory and would remain so for the 750 years left to the

Empire The Years between the two Punic Empire The Years between the two Punic Wars were eventful and successful for Wars were eventful and successful for Wars were eventful and successful for Rome they had opened up relations with Rome they had opened up relations with Rome they had opened up relations with Greece and established a Cadre of allies Greece and established a Cadre of allies Greece and established a Cadre of allies who would play an important role in The who would play an important role in The who would play an important role in The Great War against Hannibal Great War against Hannibal Great War against Hannibal they had secured the safety of their they had secured the safety of their they had secured the safety of their trade and communication routes to the trade and communication routes to the trade and communication routes to the east which would be more important than east which would be more important than east which would be more important than ever as the West erupted into allout ever as the West erupted into allout ever as the West erupted into allout war after the fight with the GS Italy war after the fight with the GS Italy war after the fight with the GS Italy had never been more united and it was had never been more united and it was had never been more united and it was this Unity more than anything else that this Unity more than anything else that this Unity more than anything else that would wind up stying Hannibal in his would wind up stying Hannibal in his would wind up stying Hannibal in his attempt to break Rome his plan was to attempt to break Rome his plan was to attempt to break Rome his plan was to beat the Romans on the battlefield and beat the Romans on the battlefield and beat the Romans on the battlefield and then convince Rome's Italian allies to then convince Rome's Italian allies to then convince Rome's Italian allies to turn on the great City but to his turn on the great City but to his turn on the great City but to his Chagrin they refused to abandon Rome Chagrin they refused to abandon Rome Chagrin they refused to abandon Rome even after Hannibal demonstrated how even after Hannibal demonstrated how even after Hannibal demonstrated how much better he was than the Romans time much better he was than the Romans time much better he was than the Romans time and time and time and time again the frightening invasion of the GS again the frightening invasion of the GS again the frightening invasion of the GS and the Romans ability to beat it back and the Romans ability to beat it back and the Romans ability to beat it back endeared them to their Italian allies endeared them to their Italian allies endeared them to their Italian allies who were in no mood to turn on the great who were in no mood to turn on the great who were in no mood to turn on the great protector of Italian civilization when protector of Italian civilization when protector of Italian civilization when Hannibal came Hannibal came Hannibal came knocking next week we will cover the knocking next week we will cover the knocking next week we will cover the events leading up to the Second Punic events leading up to the Second Punic events leading up to the Second Punic War the carthaginian conquest of Spain War the carthaginian conquest of Spain War the carthaginian conquest of Spain and the Roman and the Roman and the Roman response it is impossible to argue that response it is impossible to argue that response it is impossible to argue that the Romans were not knowingly breaking the Romans were not knowingly breaking the Romans were not knowingly breaking the treaty with Carthage when they the treaty with Carthage when they the treaty with Carthage when they agreed to come to the aid of sigam but agreed to come to the aid of sigam but agreed to come to the aid of sigam but as in the case of mas in Sicily they saw as in the case of mas in Sicily they saw as in the case of mas in Sicily they saw an opportunity to establish a foothold an opportunity to establish a foothold an opportunity to establish a foothold in Spain and took it damned the in Spain and took it damned the in Spain and took it damned the consequences and the consequences consequences and the consequences consequences and the consequences needless to say we're needless to say we're needless to say we're [Music]

[Music] [Music] vast vast vast hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 22 Prelude to the Second Rome episode 22 Prelude to the Second Rome episode 22 Prelude to the Second Punic Punic Punic War Roman Carthage had spent the years War Roman Carthage had spent the years War Roman Carthage had spent the years after the first Punic War dealing with after the first Punic War dealing with after the first Punic War dealing with their own problems and paying little their own problems and paying little their own problems and paying little official attention to one another but official attention to one another but official attention to one another but the focus of the two great Powers would the focus of the two great Powers would the focus of the two great Powers would soon turn to each other once again and soon turn to each other once again and soon turn to each other once again and lead to a confrontation this time over lead to a confrontation this time over lead to a confrontation this time over Spain this confrontation would be the Spain this confrontation would be the Spain this confrontation would be the spark for what is arguably the most spark for what is arguably the most spark for what is arguably the most important period in Roman history the important period in Roman history the important period in Roman history the Second Punic Second Punic Second Punic War entering the War Rome was a regional War entering the War Rome was a regional War entering the War Rome was a regional power on the rise but still recognizably power on the rise but still recognizably power on the rise but still recognizably the same political entity that had the same political entity that had the same political entity that had emerged from the devastation of the gak emerged from the devastation of the gak emerged from the devastation of the gak saac 170 years before however at the end saac 170 years before however at the end saac 170 years before however at the end of the war with Hannibal a 20-year trial of the war with Hannibal a 20-year trial of the war with Hannibal a 20-year trial of immense physical and psychological of immense physical and psychological of immense physical and psychological endurance Rome transformed into the endurance Rome transformed into the endurance Rome transformed into the Invincible Juggernaut that would conquer Invincible Juggernaut that would conquer Invincible Juggernaut that would conquer the the the Mediterranean Hannibal would prove to be Mediterranean Hannibal would prove to be Mediterranean Hannibal would prove to be Rome's most impressive enemy and after Rome's most impressive enemy and after Rome's most impressive enemy and after surviving the Bold carthaginian invasion surviving the Bold carthaginian invasion surviving the Bold carthaginian invasion of Italy the Romans simply turned and of Italy the Romans simply turned and of Italy the Romans simply turned and steamrolled the rest of the Known steamrolled the rest of the Known steamrolled the rest of the Known World the importance of the Second Punic World the importance of the Second Punic World the importance of the Second Punic War is also measured by the fact that War is also measured by the fact that War is also measured by the fact that after skipio final victory at Zama in after skipio final victory at Zama in after skipio final victory at Zama in 202 BC Roman Elites almost immediately 202 BC Roman Elites almost immediately 202 BC Roman Elites almost immediately began to lament the loss of Roman virtue began to lament the loss of Roman virtue began to lament the loss of Roman virtue and and and nobility the Total Domination Rome had nobility the Total Domination Rome had nobility the Total Domination Rome had achieved after defeating Carthage achieved after defeating Carthage achieved after defeating Carthage allowed steadfast frugality to be

allowed steadfast frugality to be allowed steadfast frugality to be usurped by excessive usurped by excessive usurped by excessive debauchery never again would the debauchery never again would the debauchery never again would the Literati look at their contemporaries Literati look at their contemporaries Literati look at their contemporaries with anything but contempt and the idea with anything but contempt and the idea with anything but contempt and the idea that Rome had fallen From Grace was from that Rome had fallen From Grace was from that Rome had fallen From Grace was from that point on simply taken for granted that point on simply taken for granted that point on simply taken for granted it speaks volumes then of the impact the it speaks volumes then of the impact the it speaks volumes then of the impact the Second Punic War had on the Romans that Second Punic War had on the Romans that Second Punic War had on the Romans that it would essentially Mark the close of it would essentially Mark the close of it would essentially Mark the close of an alleged golden age where all men were an alleged golden age where all men were an alleged golden age where all men were clones of cincinnus and Usher in a new clones of cincinnus and Usher in a new clones of cincinnus and Usher in a new modern era where all men were corrupt modern era where all men were corrupt modern era where all men were corrupt hedonistic and Unworthy of their great hedonistic and Unworthy of their great hedonistic and Unworthy of their great ancestors but for now Rome was still a ancestors but for now Rome was still a ancestors but for now Rome was still a paradigm of paradigm of paradigm of virtue while the Romans were focused virtue while the Romans were focused virtue while the Romans were focused elsewhere dealing with the gallic elsewhere dealing with the gallic elsewhere dealing with the gallic invasion and yyan piracy the invasion and yyan piracy the invasion and yyan piracy the carthaginians began to quietly build an carthaginians began to quietly build an carthaginians began to quietly build an empire in Spain well not the empire in Spain well not the empire in Spain well not the carthaginians as a whole necessarily carthaginians as a whole necessarily carthaginians as a whole necessarily just Hamil car just Hamil car just Hamil car Baraka after being driven from Cicily Baraka after being driven from Cicily Baraka after being driven from Cicily hamilcar returned to Carthage and hamilcar returned to Carthage and hamilcar returned to Carthage and briefly stewed in his juices before briefly stewed in his juices before briefly stewed in his juices before hatching a plan to Revenge him himself hatching a plan to Revenge him himself hatching a plan to Revenge him himself upon the Romans he knew that a direct upon the Romans he knew that a direct upon the Romans he knew that a direct assault on Rome would be a suicidal assault on Rome would be a suicidal assault on Rome would be a suicidal Fool's errand so he looked instead to Fool's errand so he looked instead to Fool's errand so he looked instead to Spain for an opportunity to build up the Spain for an opportunity to build up the Spain for an opportunity to build up the wealth and power necessary to re-engage wealth and power necessary to re-engage wealth and power necessary to re-engage the hated Romans he pitched the the hated Romans he pitched the the hated Romans he pitched the carthaginian Senate on the idea of a carthaginian Senate on the idea of a carthaginian Senate on the idea of a Spanish Invasion couching the benefits Spanish Invasion couching the benefits Spanish Invasion couching the benefits of such an adventure in economic terms of such an adventure in economic terms of such an adventure in economic terms the opportunity for Traders to make up the opportunity for Traders to make up the opportunity for Traders to make up for the loss of Sicily and the for the loss of Sicily and the for the loss of Sicily and the possibility of drawing from Spanish possibility of drawing from Spanish possibility of drawing from Spanish resources to pay the war Indemnity owed resources to pay the war Indemnity owed resources to pay the war Indemnity owed to the Romans to the Romans to the Romans the Senate was quick to approve

the Senate was quick to approve the Senate was quick to approve hamilcar's plan as much to get the hamilcar's plan as much to get the hamilcar's plan as much to get the disgruntled Soldier out of Carthage as disgruntled Soldier out of Carthage as disgruntled Soldier out of Carthage as much as anything else it had been the much as anything else it had been the much as anything else it had been the carthaginian Senate after all who had carthaginian Senate after all who had carthaginian Senate after all who had been the ones who had left Hannibal been the ones who had left Hannibal been the ones who had left Hannibal twisting in the wind for so many years twisting in the wind for so many years twisting in the wind for so many years in Sicily and they were understandably in Sicily and they were understandably in Sicily and they were understandably anxious to get rid of the charismatic anxious to get rid of the charismatic anxious to get rid of the charismatic General so in 337 BC without a Navy to General so in 337 BC without a Navy to General so in 337 BC without a Navy to speak of hamar marched his army west speak of hamar marched his army west speak of hamar marched his army west across North Africa and cross the across North Africa and cross the across North Africa and cross the Straits of Gibralter into Straits of Gibralter into Straits of Gibralter into Spain the Iberian Peninsula was at that Spain the Iberian Peninsula was at that Spain the Iberian Peninsula was at that time populated with tribes whose prowess time populated with tribes whose prowess time populated with tribes whose prowess on the battlefield was matched only by on the battlefield was matched only by on the battlefield was matched only by their lack of political their lack of political their lack of political sophistication there were three broad sophistication there were three broad sophistication there were three broad tribal groups the iberians the Kelts and tribal groups the iberians the Kelts and tribal groups the iberians the Kelts and the celab barians who were a co-mingled the celab barians who were a co-mingled the celab barians who were a co-mingled mix of the two races but to say that mix of the two races but to say that mix of the two races but to say that Spain was decentralized would be an Spain was decentralized would be an Spain was decentralized would be an understatement not only were the tribes understatement not only were the tribes understatement not only were the tribes constantly at each other's throats but constantly at each other's throats but constantly at each other's throats but within tribes individual settlements within tribes individual settlements within tribes individual settlements formed intense rivalries with their formed intense rivalries with their formed intense rivalries with their neighbors when ham car embarked on his neighbors when ham car embarked on his neighbors when ham car embarked on his Conquest his task was made immeasurably Conquest his task was made immeasurably Conquest his task was made immeasurably Easier by the total lack of cooperation Easier by the total lack of cooperation Easier by the total lack of cooperation amongst the natives and the willingness amongst the natives and the willingness amongst the natives and the willingness of locals to join the carthaginians if of locals to join the carthaginians if of locals to join the carthaginians if it meant getting the better of their it meant getting the better of their it meant getting the better of their neighbors hamilcar set up a base just neighbors hamilcar set up a base just neighbors hamilcar set up a base just over the straight from Africa in over the straight from Africa in over the straight from Africa in southern Spain and began to steadily southern Spain and began to steadily southern Spain and began to steadily grow carthaginian influence over the grow carthaginian influence over the grow carthaginian influence over the peninsula hamilcar though was not peninsula hamilcar though was not peninsula hamilcar though was not interested in simply conquering Spain interested in simply conquering Spain interested in simply conquering Spain for the greater glory of Carthage he was for the greater glory of Carthage he was for the greater glory of Carthage he was intent on setting up an autonomous intent on setting up an autonomous intent on setting up an autonomous Empire for himself sure his dispatches

Empire for himself sure his dispatches Empire for himself sure his dispatches home did not reflect this ambition but home did not reflect this ambition but home did not reflect this ambition but he clearly took steps to make the Baraka he clearly took steps to make the Baraka he clearly took steps to make the Baraka family the preeminent rulers of the family the preeminent rulers of the family the preeminent rulers of the peninsula not the carthaginian peninsula not the carthaginian peninsula not the carthaginian government per se hamilcar began to mint government per se hamilcar began to mint government per se hamilcar began to mint coins that Associated himself and his coins that Associated himself and his coins that Associated himself and his son Hannibal with the local Patron god son Hannibal with the local Patron god son Hannibal with the local Patron god of the Iberian Peninsula and asked the of the Iberian Peninsula and asked the of the Iberian Peninsula and asked the Army to swear allegiance to his family Army to swear allegiance to his family Army to swear allegiance to his family rather than the carthaginian Empire rather than the carthaginian Empire rather than the carthaginian Empire hamilkar was laying the groundwork for hamilkar was laying the groundwork for hamilkar was laying the groundwork for quasi Divine Dynasty in Spain that he quasi Divine Dynasty in Spain that he quasi Divine Dynasty in Spain that he hoped to pass on to his hoped to pass on to his hoped to pass on to his sons the carthaginian senate for their sons the carthaginian senate for their sons the carthaginian senate for their part left Hamil car to his own devices part left Hamil car to his own devices part left Hamil car to his own devices they were happy to be rid of the they were happy to be rid of the they were happy to be rid of the ambitious General and as long as the ambitious General and as long as the ambitious General and as long as the cash kept rolling in they didn't care cash kept rolling in they didn't care cash kept rolling in they didn't care who a bunch of backwards tribesmen were who a bunch of backwards tribesmen were who a bunch of backwards tribesmen were worshiping Spain was an incredibly worshiping Spain was an incredibly worshiping Spain was an incredibly resourcer territory and produced massive resourcer territory and produced massive resourcer territory and produced massive quantities of a high-grade silver there quantities of a high-grade silver there quantities of a high-grade silver there is no doubt that the Silver Mines were is no doubt that the Silver Mines were is no doubt that the Silver Mines were the prime attraction for both Hamil car the prime attraction for both Hamil car the prime attraction for both Hamil car and later the Romans it is an and later the Romans it is an and later the Romans it is an interesting historical parallel to note interesting historical parallel to note interesting historical parallel to note the similarity between the carthaginian the similarity between the carthaginian the similarity between the carthaginian and Roman exploitation of Spain and and Roman exploitation of Spain and and Roman exploitation of Spain and Spain's own exploitation of the new Spain's own exploitation of the new Spain's own exploitation of the new world 1700 years later both had the world 1700 years later both had the world 1700 years later both had the effect of flooding the markets of the effect of flooding the markets of the effect of flooding the markets of the world with vast amounts of new wealth world with vast amounts of new wealth world with vast amounts of new wealth and one wonders at the effect of having and one wonders at the effect of having and one wonders at the effect of having their own resources violently stripped their own resources violently stripped their own resources violently stripped years before had on the Spanish decision years before had on the Spanish decision years before had on the Spanish decision to seize South American gold mines with to seize South American gold mines with to seize South American gold mines with such vicious abandon maybe there is no such vicious abandon maybe there is no such vicious abandon maybe there is no connection at all but as I said it is at connection at all but as I said it is at connection at all but as I said it is at least an interesting coincidence that

least an interesting coincidence that least an interesting coincidence that Spain of all places was the new world of Spain of all places was the new world of Spain of all places was the new world of the old the old the old world hamilcar marched his armies out world hamilcar marched his armies out world hamilcar marched his armies out north and east taking possession of north and east taking possession of north and east taking possession of whatever territory he entered and soon whatever territory he entered and soon whatever territory he entered and soon commanded a large portion of Southwest commanded a large portion of Southwest commanded a large portion of Southwest Spain in general hamilcar treated the Spain in general hamilcar treated the Spain in general hamilcar treated the native armies who resisted with a native armies who resisted with a native armies who resisted with a combination of ruthlessness and combination of ruthlessness and combination of ruthlessness and leniency the leadership would be leniency the leadership would be leniency the leadership would be executed but the troops eles would be executed but the troops eles would be executed but the troops eles would be sent home hamar was not looking to sent home hamar was not looking to sent home hamar was not looking to exterminate the Spanish but to rule them exterminate the Spanish but to rule them exterminate the Spanish but to rule them his long-term plans centered around his long-term plans centered around his long-term plans centered around drawing from the vast pool of Spanish drawing from the vast pool of Spanish drawing from the vast pool of Spanish infantry if they could be called that to infantry if they could be called that to infantry if they could be called that to fill his army when he finally launched fill his army when he finally launched fill his army when he finally launched himself once again at the himself once again at the himself once again at the Romans there was no point in engendering Romans there was no point in engendering Romans there was no point in engendering the hatred of men he hoped to someday the hatred of men he hoped to someday the hatred of men he hoped to someday lead so soldiers were sent back to their lead so soldiers were sent back to their lead so soldiers were sent back to their families rival centers of power however families rival centers of power however families rival centers of power however could not be tolerated and the chieftain could not be tolerated and the chieftain could not be tolerated and the chieftain were executed without a second thought were executed without a second thought were executed without a second thought in 231 BC Rome began to take notice of in 231 BC Rome began to take notice of in 231 BC Rome began to take notice of what Hamil car was up to and sent envoys what Hamil car was up to and sent envoys what Hamil car was up to and sent envoys to to to investigate the Romans were caught up investigate the Romans were caught up investigate the Romans were caught up fighting the GS and the yans and had no fighting the GS and the yans and had no fighting the GS and the yans and had no real desire to invest themselves in real desire to invest themselves in real desire to invest themselves in Spain as well so they were satisfied by Spain as well so they were satisfied by Spain as well so they were satisfied by the slick and plausible message hamilcar the slick and plausible message hamilcar the slick and plausible message hamilcar sent back to Rome I am merely trying to sent back to Rome I am merely trying to sent back to Rome I am merely trying to pay back our debt to you as quickly as pay back our debt to you as quickly as pay back our debt to you as quickly as possible surely there is nothing wrong possible surely there is nothing wrong possible surely there is nothing wrong with that slick very slick the Romans with that slick very slick the Romans with that slick very slick the Romans thus Hoodwinked hilar went back to thus Hoodwinked hilar went back to thus Hoodwinked hilar went back to Gathering the strength he needed to Gathering the strength he needed to Gathering the strength he needed to destroy

destroy destroy them the great carthaginian General them the great carthaginian General them the great carthaginian General however would not get the chance to set however would not get the chance to set however would not get the chance to set Rome Ablaze during the winter of 228 BC Rome Ablaze during the winter of 228 BC Rome Ablaze during the winter of 228 BC after being surprised and driven off by after being surprised and driven off by after being surprised and driven off by a tribal Army hamard drowned while a tribal Army hamard drowned while a tribal Army hamard drowned while crossing a treacherous River he was crossing a treacherous River he was crossing a treacherous River he was succeeded by his son-in-law hasrul who succeeded by his son-in-law hasrul who succeeded by his son-in-law hasrul who immediately raised a force of 50,000 and immediately raised a force of 50,000 and immediately raised a force of 50,000 and exterminated the tribe who he blamed for exterminated the tribe who he blamed for exterminated the tribe who he blamed for hamilcar's death after this initial show hamilcar's death after this initial show hamilcar's death after this initial show of force hable settled back into the of force hable settled back into the of force hable settled back into the role more of Governor than conqueror he role more of Governor than conqueror he role more of Governor than conqueror he did not try and build on the territory did not try and build on the territory did not try and build on the territory hamard 1 rather he Consolidated hamard 1 rather he Consolidated hamard 1 rather he Consolidated carthaginian Holdings and attempted to carthaginian Holdings and attempted to carthaginian Holdings and attempted to syn the new Imperial Dynasty into the syn the new Imperial Dynasty into the syn the new Imperial Dynasty into the Spanish psyche he made the tribal Chiefs Spanish psyche he made the tribal Chiefs Spanish psyche he made the tribal Chiefs Acclaim him their supreme ruler and Acclaim him their supreme ruler and Acclaim him their supreme ruler and murdered any who were even suspected of murdered any who were even suspected of murdered any who were even suspected of opposing him he founded a capital on the opposing him he founded a capital on the opposing him he founded a capital on the southern coast of the peninsula called southern coast of the peninsula called southern coast of the peninsula called new Carthage a virtually impregnable new Carthage a virtually impregnable new Carthage a virtually impregnable Fortress from which he ruled clearly the Fortress from which he ruled clearly the Fortress from which he ruled clearly the carthaginians were here to carthaginians were here to carthaginians were here to stay in 226 BC the Romans began to worry stay in 226 BC the Romans began to worry stay in 226 BC the Romans began to worry again about the carthaginian presence in again about the carthaginian presence in again about the carthaginian presence in Spain they had allies on the peninsula Spain they had allies on the peninsula Spain they had allies on the peninsula themselves and worried about North themselves and worried about North themselves and worried about North African African African encroachment a treaty was concluded with encroachment a treaty was concluded with encroachment a treaty was concluded with hasel to the effect that the hasel to the effect that the hasel to the effect that the carthaginians would not cross the river carthaginians would not cross the river carthaginians would not cross the river abro which lies Midway up the abro which lies Midway up the abro which lies Midway up the Mediterranean coast of Spain this Mediterranean coast of Spain this Mediterranean coast of Spain this demarcation is important because it left demarcation is important because it left demarcation is important because it left s s s a city that was on friendly terms with a city that was on friendly terms with a city that was on friendly terms with Rome 100 miles Behind Enemy Lines but Rome 100 miles Behind Enemy Lines but Rome 100 miles Behind Enemy Lines but the expediency of preserving the peace

the expediency of preserving the peace the expediency of preserving the peace with Carthage took precedence and the with Carthage took precedence and the with Carthage took precedence and the Romans agreed to stay on their side of Romans agreed to stay on their side of Romans agreed to stay on their side of the the the Aro 5 years later hribal's heavy handed Aro 5 years later hribal's heavy handed Aro 5 years later hribal's heavy handed rule caught up with him and he was rule caught up with him and he was rule caught up with him and he was assassinated by a disgruntled tribesman assassinated by a disgruntled tribesman assassinated by a disgruntled tribesman revenge for the murder of a revenge for the murder of a revenge for the murder of a Chieftain upon hribal's death the Army Chieftain upon hribal's death the Army Chieftain upon hribal's death the Army immediately called for the Ascension of immediately called for the Ascension of immediately called for the Ascension of Hannibal hamilcar's eldest son only 25 Hannibal hamilcar's eldest son only 25 Hannibal hamilcar's eldest son only 25 at the time Hannibal was elevated to a at the time Hannibal was elevated to a at the time Hannibal was elevated to a position of supreme authority and did position of supreme authority and did position of supreme authority and did not waste any time plotting how to make not waste any time plotting how to make not waste any time plotting how to make good on the oath he had sworn years good on the oath he had sworn years good on the oath he had sworn years before to make himself an enemy of Rome before to make himself an enemy of Rome before to make himself an enemy of Rome for for for eternity Hannibal was wildly popular eternity Hannibal was wildly popular eternity Hannibal was wildly popular amongst his troops not only had he been amongst his troops not only had he been amongst his troops not only had he been fully integrated into the semi- Divine fully integrated into the semi- Divine fully integrated into the semi- Divine cult his father had built but Hannibal cult his father had built but Hannibal cult his father had built but Hannibal had also grown up in the Army Camps and had also grown up in the Army Camps and had also grown up in the Army Camps and was considered by the soldiers to be one was considered by the soldiers to be one was considered by the soldiers to be one of them it was the perfect combination of them it was the perfect combination of them it was the perfect combination to assure complete loyalty not only did to assure complete loyalty not only did to assure complete loyalty not only did they respect him as a soldier and a man they respect him as a soldier and a man they respect him as a soldier and a man but they worshiped him as a god this but they worshiped him as a god this but they worshiped him as a god this loyalty would be tested over and over loyalty would be tested over and over loyalty would be tested over and over again and it is one of the great again and it is one of the great again and it is one of the great Testaments to Hannibal's leadership that Testaments to Hannibal's leadership that Testaments to Hannibal's leadership that in all the years he kept his men in in all the years he kept his men in in all the years he kept his men in Italy fighting an increasingly hopeless Italy fighting an increasingly hopeless Italy fighting an increasingly hopeless War of Attrition that there is not a War of Attrition that there is not a War of Attrition that there is not a single mention of a mutiny or an single mention of a mutiny or an single mention of a mutiny or an assassination attempt not even Alexander assassination attempt not even Alexander assassination attempt not even Alexander can say can say can say that the son of hamilcar picked up where that the son of hamilcar picked up where that the son of hamilcar picked up where his father left off and began to claim his father left off and began to claim his father left off and began to claim new territory for Carthage securing the new territory for Carthage securing the new territory for Carthage securing the Northwest Frontier with a surprising Northwest Frontier with a surprising Northwest Frontier with a surprising efficiency that foreshadowed things to efficiency that foreshadowed things to efficiency that foreshadowed things to come Hannibal was no passive Governor

come Hannibal was no passive Governor come Hannibal was no passive Governor like his brother-in-law he was a like his brother-in-law he was a like his brother-in-law he was a conqueror of the first conqueror of the first conqueror of the first order the city of sigun became order the city of sigun became order the city of sigun became increasingly worried by the young increasingly worried by the young increasingly worried by the young carthaginian leader they had been left carthaginian leader they had been left carthaginian leader they had been left alone by ha driel but Hannibal seemed to alone by ha driel but Hannibal seemed to alone by ha driel but Hannibal seemed to be cut from an entirely different cloth be cut from an entirely different cloth be cut from an entirely different cloth they sent pleas for aid over and over they sent pleas for aid over and over they sent pleas for aid over and over again to Rome but Roman eyes were turned again to Rome but Roman eyes were turned again to Rome but Roman eyes were turned East to ayria and could not be East to ayria and could not be East to ayria and could not be bothered finally zagam kicked up enough bothered finally zagam kicked up enough bothered finally zagam kicked up enough of a fuss that the Romans sent a mission of a fuss that the Romans sent a mission of a fuss that the Romans sent a mission to Spain to get a look at the new to Spain to get a look at the new to Spain to get a look at the new carthaginian leader themselves and take carthaginian leader themselves and take carthaginian leader themselves and take stock of the stock of the stock of the situation the Roman envoys did not like situation the Roman envoys did not like situation the Roman envoys did not like what they saw one bit and came away what they saw one bit and came away what they saw one bit and came away convinced that war with the convinced that war with the convinced that war with the carthaginians was imminent though they carthaginians was imminent though they carthaginians was imminent though they believed any campaign would be limited believed any campaign would be limited believed any campaign would be limited to to to Spain this allowed for a certain Roman Spain this allowed for a certain Roman Spain this allowed for a certain Roman laxness when it came to preparations laxness when it came to preparations laxness when it came to preparations they would raise some Legions and send they would raise some Legions and send they would raise some Legions and send them to man The abro some skirmishes them to man The abro some skirmishes them to man The abro some skirmishes would ensue but Hannibal would not be so would ensue but Hannibal would not be so would ensue but Hannibal would not be so silly as to cross the river he was just silly as to cross the river he was just silly as to cross the river he was just testing the limits of Roman testing the limits of Roman testing the limits of Roman tolerance but then Hannibal laid Siege tolerance but then Hannibal laid Siege tolerance but then Hannibal laid Siege to saguntum and the Roman hand was to saguntum and the Roman hand was to saguntum and the Roman hand was forced even forced even forced even further conflicts within the Roman further conflicts within the Roman further conflicts within the Roman senate created a mixed response that all senate created a mixed response that all senate created a mixed response that all but ensured a full-scale war despite the but ensured a full-scale war despite the but ensured a full-scale war despite the treaty they had signed restricting treaty they had signed restricting treaty they had signed restricting allegiance to the far side of the abro allegiance to the far side of the abro allegiance to the far side of the abro Rome appreciated its alliance with suum Rome appreciated its alliance with suum Rome appreciated its alliance with suum and did not want to see it fall into the and did not want to see it fall into the and did not want to see it fall into the hands of the hands of the hands of the carthaginians so rather than following carthaginians so rather than following carthaginians so rather than following the treaty to its logical conclusion and the treaty to its logical conclusion and the treaty to its logical conclusion and sacrificing suum for the greater peace sacrificing suum for the greater peace sacrificing suum for the greater peace the Romans sent envoys to Carthage the Romans sent envoys to Carthage the Romans sent envoys to Carthage demanding an end to the siege the

demanding an end to the siege the demanding an end to the siege the carthaginians replied that they were carthaginians replied that they were carthaginians replied that they were well within their rights to act in well within their rights to act in well within their rights to act in whatever way they wished in their own whatever way they wished in their own whatever way they wished in their own territory and the Romans ought to butt territory and the Romans ought to butt territory and the Romans ought to butt out there were factions in the out there were factions in the out there were factions in the carthaginian Senate who did not carthaginian Senate who did not carthaginian Senate who did not appreciate the position Hannibal was appreciate the position Hannibal was appreciate the position Hannibal was putting them in but a treaty was a putting them in but a treaty was a putting them in but a treaty was a treaty and the Romans had no legal claim treaty and the Romans had no legal claim treaty and the Romans had no legal claim to seum so what were they doing making to seum so what were they doing making to seum so what were they doing making demands and issuing demands and issuing demands and issuing threats the Romans were sent away and threats the Romans were sent away and threats the Romans were sent away and the Western Mediterranean stood on the the Western Mediterranean stood on the the Western Mediterranean stood on the brink of War once again all that was brink of War once again all that was brink of War once again all that was left was the official left was the official left was the official declarations zunum fell after an 8-month declarations zunum fell after an 8-month declarations zunum fell after an 8-month Siege and Hannibal sacked the city the Siege and Hannibal sacked the city the Siege and Hannibal sacked the city the Romans responded by raising a Romans responded by raising a Romans responded by raising a three-pronged force to deal with the now three-pronged force to deal with the now three-pronged force to deal with the now palpable carthaginian palpable carthaginian palpable carthaginian threat the main force would be sent to threat the main force would be sent to threat the main force would be sent to Africa to inflict as much damage there Africa to inflict as much damage there Africa to inflict as much damage there as possible another would be sent to as possible another would be sent to as possible another would be sent to Spain to deal with Hannibal and teach Spain to deal with Hannibal and teach Spain to deal with Hannibal and teach the young upstart a lesson a third was the young upstart a lesson a third was the young upstart a lesson a third was placed in the po valley to deal with any placed in the po valley to deal with any placed in the po valley to deal with any possible Invasion the opportunistic possible Invasion the opportunistic possible Invasion the opportunistic Galls might Galls might Galls might attempt of the three the Army in the po attempt of the three the Army in the po attempt of the three the Army in the po valley was considered merely a rear valley was considered merely a rear valley was considered merely a rear guard defensive Force who would possibly guard defensive Force who would possibly guard defensive Force who would possibly but not likely see action the war in but not likely see action the war in but not likely see action the war in Roman eyes was clearly going to be Roman eyes was clearly going to be Roman eyes was clearly going to be fought in Spain just as the first Punic fought in Spain just as the first Punic fought in Spain just as the first Punic War had been fought in Sicily Hannibal War had been fought in Sicily Hannibal War had been fought in Sicily Hannibal however had other plans the Army in the however had other plans the Army in the however had other plans the Army in the po valley would soon find themselves not po valley would soon find themselves not po valley would soon find themselves not skirmishing with G tribes but rather skirmishing with G tribes but rather skirmishing with G tribes but rather engaging headon a carthaginian Invasion Force next week we will begin what is

Force next week we will begin what is sure to be at least a month of episodes sure to be at least a month of episodes sure to be at least a month of episodes dedicated to the Second Punic War as I dedicated to the Second Punic War as I dedicated to the Second Punic War as I said it is one of the most important and said it is one of the most important and said it is one of the most important and taxing periods in Roman history and taxing periods in Roman history and taxing periods in Roman history and proved to be the closest the Romans proved to be the closest the Romans proved to be the closest the Romans would come to destruction until the would come to destruction until the would come to destruction until the crisis of the 3rd Century AD 500 years crisis of the 3rd Century AD 500 years crisis of the 3rd Century AD 500 years later so next time we will begin the later so next time we will begin the later so next time we will begin the long and arduous path to the Battle of long and arduous path to the Battle of long and arduous path to the Battle of Zama by following Hannibal's long and Zama by following Hannibal's long and Zama by following Hannibal's long and arduous path through the Alps to arduous path through the Alps to arduous path through the Alps to [Music] [Music] [Music] immortality immortality immortality [Music]