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Home , 205 BC, Corvus (boarding device), First Punic War, Hasdrubal Barca, Himilco, Roman navy

little stomach for a decisive naval encounter. It is ironic that while is credited with a long range plan for war with , the Roman fleet was far better prepared for this war than the navy of . Fleets were very expensive to maintain, so only a skeleton force was normally manned in peacetime. The Romans, as usual, were favored by fortune. In 219, the year before Hannibal crossed the , Rome's consuls conducted a Fournie's superb article provides us with example. tells us that maritime campaign against the an excellent overview of the war, plus Rome had 330 galleys and Illyrian pirates. So Rome had a two scenarios on significant actions. Carthage 350. He then estimates a fleet of 200 quinqueremes, fully Nonetheless, this editor finds the quinquereme crew at 300 rowers manned and equipped, when the perspective to be decidedly "Roman" (not and sailors and 120 per war began. Some 20 additional exactly a sin, given that all of our . From this he calculated that were added to the fleet. primary sources are Roman), and could there were 140,000 Romans and Carthage, on the other hand, was not resist interjecting some alternative 150,000 Carthaginians present at able to man and deploy only 87 interpretations (most of which are found the battle. Modern historians quinqueremes in 218, although in the sidebar on page 8). You'll find a believe he greatly overestimated she had quite a few more ships in few others in italics within the body of the number of quinqueremes dry dock. [Indeed, Carthage had the this article. - SKT versus smaller vessels and the money to hire crews for their many average crew of each ship. Many drydocked ships-but perhaps lacked the The eclipsed believe each fleet numbered only leadership and will to raise the naval the in the about 200 to 230 quinqueremes stakes. -SKT] magnitude of the forces involved and assorted smaller vessels, with and the geographic scope of the no more than 80,000 men in the OPENING ACTIONS conflict. The first war had been Roman fleet and less then 60,000 The Roman war plan for 218 BC primarily a naval war for the in the Carthaginian fleet. So the allocated 160 quinqueremes and island of , with only brief of the second war twelve smaller galleys for the forays into and . was not smaller than in the first; of Africa and 60 The second war was a massive it was dispersed into smaller quinqueremes for the invasion of struggle for dominion of the squadrons. . Carthage struck first, western Mediterranean waged however. The home fleet split into The Carthaginian navy had ruled from the Pillars of to the two squadrons. Twenty vessels the Western Mediterranean , from the snowy Alps to raided the Liparae and Vulcan unchallenged for nearly three the edge of the Sahara. islands, between Sicily and . centuries, ever since the Greek The raid was successful, except threat had been turned back at It seems strange then that the that three ships were captured by Alalia in 535 BC (scenario soon to recorded naval battles of the first twelve quinqueremes of the royal appear in C3i). Yet, in the First war dwarf the naval combat of Syracusan navy, allied at that time Punic War, this proud maritime the second -the Hannibalic War. with Rome. The captured crews force had been repeatedly and There are three reasons for revealed that a second, larger decisively defeated by the upstart this anomaly. First, the size of the squadron of 35 galleys was to navy of Rome, with its (the naval battles in the first war was make a surprise assault on the "crow," a pivoting boarding exaggerated by the methodology port of Lilybaeum. employed by Polybius. Second, ramp) and crack the fleets in the second war were marines. The Carthaginians were King Hiero II of Syracuse quickly dispersed in numerous theaters, defeated at Mylae, Tyndaris, relayed the warning to Marcus unlike the earlier war (see Order Ecnomus, Hermaeum and Aemilius, the military of of Battle Tables). Finally, the Aegates, and won only one major Sicily. The main Roman fleet had Punic navy was broken in the first victory-at Drepanum. not yet arrived in Sicily, so war and never regained its former PRE-WAR PREPARATIONS Aemilius had to fight with the fighting spirit and skill. [See the In the long interwar period, 241 ships he had on hand, probably sidebar on page 8 for a 218 BC, Carthage apparently about 20 quinqueremes. His "Carthaginian" made little effort to reverse the squadron did not have the best perspective on the anomaly.] verdict at sea. The Carthaginian crews, but Aemilius was able

navy entered the Hannibalic War provide each ship with a full To explain the first factor, the as a force already defeated, with battle of Cape Ecnomus is the best

complement of legionary marines. The Carthaginian fleet was undermanned, both for crews and marines. They relied on surprise to carry the day. Since surprise had been forfeited, ). That reveals an overall strategic preference for land action the Romans handily won the first from watchtowers. Hasdrubal certainly understandable in the context battle of the war, boarding and sent messenger after messenger of the geography of the Iberian galloping to the shore to get the capturing seven ships, and taking peninsula. -SKT] Hasdrubal 1,700 men prisoner. The Roman sailors and marines to man their advanced up the coast with his ships. It was a scene of absolute fleet suffered one holed, army and fleet, to confront Scipio but they were able to recover this confusion, as sailors and soldiers on land and/or sea. struggled to board their ships and ship as well. Soon thereafter, Gnaeus Scipio initially planned to Consul Sempronius prepare for action. The galleys bring both his army and fleet out put out to sea, some half manned, Longus arrived with the main to meet Hasdrubal. But a report fleet. But the planned invasion of all in an uproar. The that Hasdrubal had levied a very Carthaginians emerged from the Africa soon was canceled so that large force of caused him the consul could hurry north to mouth of the in total to move only by sea. Scipio disorder, even as the Roman fleet face Hannibal (and receive a boarded picked marines from his trouncing at Trebia River). was bearing down upon them. army on his 35 quinqueremes, and moved south, with a few The battle was decided quickly. from the allied city of Four Carthaginian vessels were Massilia performing rammed and sunk while two were reconnaissance. These Greek OPERATIONS IN SPAIN boarded and captured. The sailors managed to scout out In the West, had Carthaginians remembered that 's fleet at the mouth of the manned 32 quinqueremes and 5 their army was strung along the Ebro River, and return triremes, but did not have the nearby beach and made for safety. undetected. They reported that strength to confront Gnaeus Most of their vessels ran aground, the Punic fleet was drawn up in Scipio's invasion fleet of 60 ships. the crews seeking safety with the the mouth of the river, completely After securing a base at in army. The Roman navy pursued unprepared for action. northeast Spain, Scipio sent 25 up to shoreline, grappling and Scipio was only ten miles away. galleys back to Rome. By the towing off an additional 23 ships. He launched his fleet for an spring of 217, Hasdrubal had It was a total naval victory. immediate assault. No added ten ships to his fleet, which Carthage never again challenged Carthaginian vessels were posted he placed under the command of Roman control of Spanish waters. to detect the approaching enemy. his deputy, Himilco. [This [The Romans likewise were complacent Hasdrubal's army scouts sighted "expansion" was most probably achieved enough with not challenging the by hiring the crews to man existing the Roman fleet first, and relayed Carthaginians along the southern ships. Evidence from the capture of New the warning back by fire signals coastline of Spain until 206 BC, before Carthage indicates that Hasdrubal faced which the Carthaginians had no trouble a crew shortage more than a ship shortage (a matter of cash allocation to

shipping troops to and from Africa. After the Ebro, both sides were satisfied with keeping their own shipping lanes open for supplies and reinforcements. -SKT]

RAIDS, ESCORTS AND PATROLS There were to be no major battles at sea for the next two years. However, the Carthaginian home fleet slipped into waters off Cosa and seized a merchant convoy bound for Spain in 217 BC. The Roman main fleet of 120 quinqueremes, commanded by Consul Servilius Geminus made its first raid on Africa the same year. This was to Crassus meanwhile raided Africa, of 25,000 foot and 3,000 horse at become an annual event, and caught Hasdrubal the Bald's , and maneuvered something akin to a massive escort squadron of 60 galleys around Syracuse with his 55 pirate raid. On this first returning from Sardinia. In the ships. expedition, the foraging parties largest naval battle to date, the stayed ashore too long and were Romans boarded and seized invaded the caught by Carthaginian . seven ships, and the remainder of Roman protectorate in southern Over 1,000 sailors and marines the Carthaginian fleet scattered with a fleet of 120 lembi. were slain before the fleet escaped and fled. But the Roman navy's Marcus Valerius Laevinius, with with its booty. greatest coup was the capture of 50 quinqueremes and one legion, In 216, naval operations were Hannibal's envoys to King Philip defeated the Macedonian army at overshadowed by the battle of V, then sending back confirmation Oricum. With his fleet trapped Cannae. After this Roman of a Macedonian-Carthaginian upriver, Philip burned his ships disaster, the Marcellus treaty. The diligence of the Roman and retreated overland. Laevinius was pulled from command of the patrol ships under Valerius remained in Greek waters and fleet to bring his marines inland Flaccus at Brundisium delayed later formed an alliance with the to reinforce the garrison of Rome. Macedori s entry into the war by a . A second raid on Africa also met full year. Meanwhile, Bomilcar, heavy resistance ashore, and the the commander of the By 212, Bomilcar amassed the praetor Publius Furius Philus was Carthaginian home fleet slipped largest Punic fleet of the war, 130 badly wounded. Carthage also through to to bring quinqueremes, and sailed to Sicily raided Syracusan lands. The pro Hannibal some badly needed in an attempt to break the praetor Otacilius was unable to reinforcements-4,000 Numidian of Syracuse. With come to his aid, as a second cavalry and 40 elephants. Tarentum now in Hannibal's enemy fleet threatened hands, there was a real Lilybaeum. opportunity to open up lines of In 215, the Roman navy scored SICILY AND GREECE communication between three notable successes. The army The following year, 214 BC, naval Carthage, Syracuse, Tarentum and of Manlius Torquatus was operations picked up when Greece. At Cape Pachynum, near escorted to Sardinia where the Syracuse under new leaders Syracuse, Marcellus offered battle crews were pressed into service as defected from Rome to Carthage, with his 100 ships, but Bomilcar . Another fleet of 100 and Macedon entered the war. declined. This Carthaginian ships under Titus Otacilius Rome reinforced its fleet in Sicily to 100 ships. Bomilcar nonetheless admiral never fought a recorded was able to land Himilco's army battle, and his passivity went a

featured in an upcoming issue of the enemy, and most especially long way towards ruining C3i.) brought in booty. For a decade, Carthaginian prospects in this their opponent made no move in war. Bomilcar passed on to THE BATTLE OF CLUPEA, 208 the face of this provocation. By Tarentum and then Corcyra-two It was the Roman practice of 208 Carthage had a new admiral. places where the main Roman dispatching her main fleet on We don't know for certain, but it fleet was not. Very little was massive raids of Africa that may have been the who accomplished by this fleet over finally produced major naval raided Sardinia in 210, or the the next four years, though Philip battles. Fleets of 100-120 galleys Hasdrubal who commanded the V was certainly happy to see it. struck the African coast nearly home fleet in 203. Whoever he During 214-207, the Roman every year of the war. These raids was, his conduct clearly set him squadron in Greece remained provided intelligence, harrassed apart from Bomilcar. active in thwarting Philip V. Both Rome and Macedon gathered more allies, King Attalus of contributing 35 ships to Rome while the Achaean League and King Prusias of Bithynia supported Philip with ships. A Carthaginian squadron was also active in Greek waters in 210 207. Yet, no major naval battles developed. The war was finally decided on land, and the result was generally beneficial to Macedon. Nonetheless, the Roman navy had neutralized a serious threat at a critical juncture. The Carthaginian navy continued operations off Sicily through 211, but no major naval battle ensued. Syracuse fell after a two-year , and the final Carthaginian stronghold at Agrigentum was betrayed in 210. Another Carthaginian fleet of 40 quinqueremes under Hamilcar raided Sardinia in 210.

The Roman navy suffered its only defeat of the war in 210, but not at the hands of the Carthaginians. The tiny navy of Tarentum, allied with Hannibal, shattered a Roman squadron in a hard fought contest off nearby Sapriportis. Both opponents had only 20 ships. (This battle will be

In 208, Laevinius led 100 armies crisscrossed the Western THE END OF THE quinqueremes to pillage the Mediterranean without hindrance CARTHAGINIAN NAVY African coast at Clupea. When his by any enemy fleet. Mago sailed There was one unusual naval ships were nearly full of booty, from the to battle during Scipio's African Laevinius received the alarming invade the Ligurian coast of Italy campaign. After Scipio's victory news that a large Carthaginian in 205 BC. Mago transported at the Great Plains in 203 BC, the fleet was fast approaching. The 12,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry Carthaginian navy roused itself Romans hastily put to sea, just as with a small escort of 30 for a surprise attack on the the enemy's fleet of 83 galleys quinqueremes. Mago retained ten Roman fleet. The admiral was appeared. The greatest naval ships and sent the other 20 back Hasdrubal, previously unknown. battle of the Second Punic War to Carthage, as Scipio' invasion Scipio's galleys were in port at his ensued. was anticipated. In 204, Mago was fortified base camp, the reinforced by sea with an Cornelia, near Utica. Roman The Roman fleet was additional 6,000 foot, 800 cavalry infantry scouts spotted the enemy overburdened with booty-and, and 7 elephants escorted by 25 fleet sailing out of the harbor of as a result, slower and less galleys. (If only Hannibal had Carthage. Scipio raced back and maneuverable than usual. The received such support earlier in found his fleet completely Carthaginian fleet was manned the war, the war's outcome might unprepared for battle. well for once and launched an have been different!) immediate attack. The Thinking creatively, Scipio Carthaginians had regained their Scipio crossed from Sicily to blocked the harbor with a row of fighting spirit, but in the battle Africa with an army of 25,000 foot merchant ships. He had the ships that ensued, the Romans boarded and 2,500 horse escorted by a lashed together, and filled the and captured 18 ships. No Roman mere 40 quinqueremes! Compare decks with marines and missile losses are recorded, but they may this to the reported armada of 330 troops. The Carthaginian fleet well have lost a number of ships ships that had escorted Regulus arrived and drew up in battle to . in the First Punic War. order, awaiting a disorganized Sempronius' planned invasion of sortie by the Roman fleet. When In the following year, another 218 BC had 172 galleys for escort. the Romans didn't come out, the Roman raid of 100 galleys under Scipio's invasion was surely at its perplexed Hasdrubal finally Laevinius was again intercepted. most vulnerable while at sea, but attacked the wall of merchant The Romans had pillaged the area the Carthaginian fleet made no ships. Sixty of these transports around Utica, and once again move. Scipio obviously did not were grappled and towed off by were returning with booty-laden expect a naval battle, or he would the Carthaginians. The fleet sailed ships. The Carthaginian home have obtained a larger fleet. It still home with a hollow victory, little fleet sallied forth once again. seems strange that Rome could being accomplished, as Scipio's However, the Punic navy had send 100 galleys to raid Africa fleet remained intact. The been able to replace only a few of every year, yet could spare only Carthaginians made no further the lost vessels and crews. This 40 ships for this decisive invasion. attacks. After , the entire [The Senate opposed giving Scipio a fleet, time 70 Carthaginian galleys Carthaginian navy was attacked the larger Roman fleet. so a private fund drive was required even to raise most of the 40 galleys he did surrendered to Rome for burning, The results were much the same, have. Yet, it is an overstatement to think save a small squadron of 10 as Rome captured 17 ships and Scipio expected no opposition. Rather, he triremes. rammed and sank four more. [This had little choice-being under the second action raises a serious question scrutiny of the censors regarding The Roman navy maintained its regarding 's report of the results of incidents at Locri, he feared losing his the one in the previous year. If so beaten office, and set sail abruptly (at an odd overall superiority in the Second badly in the first action, why were the time of year at that). After landing, he Punic War. Rome was never really Carthaginians so eager to fight at worse immediately sent the fleet back to Sicily, challenged, and the lackluster odds on the next occasion? It is quite indicating that he didn't think he could Carthaginian navy never won a probable that the Romans "got as good as control the coast of Africa in the face of single victory in this war (other they gave" at Clupea, but Livy's the Carthaginian fleet. - SKTI than the unusual battle at Castra patriotism led to an omission of that fact. Given the overall number of losses of However, the Carthaginian navy Cornelia). In five recorded naval Roman war galleys during the course of was not the only one to miss actions Carthage suffered a total the war, we must allow for the fact that opportunities to destroy enemy loss of 77 ships captured and Livy overlooks losses frequently. -SKT] armies at sea. The armies of eight sunk. Rome's total recorded Hannibal and Mago were loss was one ship damaged! Of MISSED OPPORTUNITIES transported by sea from Bruttium course, Rome wrote the history That was the last open sea battle and to Africa in 202 books which may have glossed of the war. Interestingly, in the without the least interference over many losses. Nevertheless, it final years of the war a number from the superior Roman navy. was a remarkably one-sided of result. This disappointing

performance by the once great Leader Counters issue's counter insert. Hamilcar can Carthaginian navy contributed The counters for Gn. Scipio, Himilco be represented by his grandfather (?) greatly to their eventual loss of and Laevinus are included on this from the First Punic War. the Second Punic War.

Drusus' Squadron: 6 clambered onto the beach to get quinqueremes from 4006 to their ships. Something like 12,000 2900 and 1 at 4207 men scurrying around gave the 4106. appearance of a disturbed ant hill.

Initial Deployment: On turn 1, all Carthaginian ships Maps Carthaginians are individual squadrons. If The game uses the "land" map. The Carthaginian player receives activated: All land, both A & D, is in play. the following Green ships. 1. Anchored ships may only The area between A and the D ƒ 20 Quinqueremes (ID 11-30) raise anchors, as in Actium. coast is the mouth of the Ebro. ƒ 1 Quadreme (ID 8) 2. Beached ships may attempt The D islands are sandbars in the ƒ 3 Cataphracted Triremes (ID 1 to free themselves, by estuary. The Ebro River empties 3) rolling a D6: into the Mediterranean in 1-2: The ship is freed and northeast Spain. It was the The Carthaginian receives the may move one hex. boundary between the following Squadron 3-4: The ship is freed and Carthaginian and Roman spheres Commanders: Himilco may move one hex, of influence before the Second (Admiral), *Barbax, *Gisgo. BUT it is only half Punic War. Carthaginian side is crewed. Replace the hexrow 60xx (South). Roman side The Carthaginian fleet is C3 / M3 quinquereme is hexrow 10xx (North). deployed with all bows facing with a C1 / M2 (ID 53 north or east as follows: 85). Balance 5-6: The ship remains This is a surprise raid on the A. 14 quinqueremes (11-24) beached. unprepared Carthaginian fleet. beached'al from 5914-6015 to Carthaginian seamanship will 5927-6028. On turn 2, Himilco, Gisgo and only come into play if Himilco B. 6 quinqueremes anchored at Barbax may be placed with any can deploy. The Romans are 5727-5828, 5725-5826, 5723 ship, and play progresses favored here. 5824, 5721-5822, 5719-5820, normally. But anchored ships still 5717-5818. require one turn to weigh anchor, Playing Time and Difficulty C. 1 quadreme anchored at 5714 and beached ships must roll to be This battle should take 3-4 hours 5715. set free, as above. to finish. Difficulty Rating is 2.5. D. 3 triremes anchored at 5308 to 5313. Victory Ship Scale The Roman player wins when he 1 counter = 2 galleys Note: has at least 65 VP, and that a Ships are beached with bows number is at least twice that of the enemy. The Carthaginian Initial Deployment: pointing seaward. This was player wins when he has at least Romans apparently standard practice in ancient galley fleets, to protect 55 VP, and that number is at least The Roman player receives the the ships from unexpected twice that of the enemy. If neither following Red ships: rough weather and to prevent of the above happens, and/or the ƒ 18 Quinqueremes (ID 50-67) water-logging of the hulls. It is players halt play by mutual ƒ 3 Cataphracted Trireme (ID 1 therefore quite different than agreement, a minor, indecisive 3, Massilian ) being run aground. victory goes to he who has the

most VP. The Roman receives the following Squadron Commanders begin on Squadron Commanders: Gn. shore. For color, you can place Scipio (Admiral), *Fabius, Hasdrubal Barca at hex 3726 (the *Drusus. big 'A') to watch the proceedings.

He is not pleased. The Roman fleet is deployed as follows: Special Rules Scipio's Squadron: (line astern) 6 Surprise! quinqueremes from 4014 to The Carthaginian fleet was totally Maps 2906 and 1 trireme at 4215 unprepared for action. The crews The game uses the "sea" map. 4114. are resting ashore. Most of the Carthaginian side is hexrow xxOO Fabius' Squadron: 6 quinqueremes are beached. When (North). Roman side is hexrow quinqueremes from 4022 to Hasdrubal Barca sent the xx28 (South). 2916 and 1 trireme at 4223 warning, pandemonium set in as 4122. all the crews and marines Balance This is another classic match-up of Carthaginian seamanship

versus Roman marines. The Metellus' Squadron: 8 Special Rule Romans have numbers on their quinqueremes at 4527. Booty side and are favored here. Fabius' Squadron: 8 quinqueremes at 2527. The Roman fleet was encumbered with plenty of booty and treasure. Playing Time and Difficulty This extra weight tires out the This battle should take about 2-3 Initial crew. When rolling for fatigue, the hours to finish. Difficulty Rating Deployment: Roman player adds one (+1). (If is 2.0. Carthaginians The Carthaginian player receives the Roman player wants to the following Green ships: jettison his booty before the Ship Scale battle, on a D6 roll of 1-5, his crew 1 counter = 4 galleys ƒ 21 Quinqueremes (ID 31-51) makes him walk the plank.) Initial Deployment: The Carthaginian receives the Victory Romans following Squadron The Roman player wins when he The Roman player receives the Commanders: Hamilcar has at least 60 VP, and that following Red ships: (Admiral), *Hanno, *Gisgo. number is at least twice that of ƒ 25 Quinqueremes (ID 50-74) the enemy. The Carthaginian The Carthaginian fleet is deployed as follows: player wins when he has at least The Roman receives the following 65 VP, and that number is at least Squadron Commanders: V. Left Wing: Hanno with 7 twice that of the enemy. If neither Laevinius (Admiral), *Metellus, quinqueremes from 4000-4001 of the above happens, and/or the *Fabius. to 4600-4601. players halt play by mutual

Center: Hamilcar with 7 agreement, a minor, indecisive The Roman fleet is deployed in quinqueremes from 3200-3201 victory goes to he who has the line astern, entering the map as to 3800-3801. most VP. follows: Right Wing: Gisgo with 7 quinqueremes from 3000-3001 V. Laevinius' Squadron: 9 to 2400-2401. quinqueremes from 3527.