The Punic Wars!!!

Oh gosh...Rome has gotten itself in trouble again, this time its elephants! Although it maybe just one in the end...

It all started with one word...Mylae!

With a strong control over Sicily and the Italian peninsula Rome was on the verge of an empire, Carthage of course in a similar situation had one advantage over their adversaries, their navy. Carthage controlled the seas around the Mediterranean, this meant control of the trade sea routes from Africa. Roman control over the land routes was essential for the expansion of the republic. so in 260 BCE, Rome built a fleet in 60 days and put this new fleet to the test in Mylea, the northern tip of Sicily. The Roman navy depended on its new military innovation the Corvus, a boarding bridge with spikes on its underside. This allowed Roman legionaries to board a Carthage ship every time they came close. This of course presented a problem for Carthage, who didnt bring an army to a naval battle...(This ironically didnt work out for King Phillip of Spain when fighting queen Elizabeth, with his "Armada", after the Queen was prompt in telling him that she was way out of his league) This led to the shock defeat for the Punic forces. Shock a term used relatively, i don't imagine commoners on either side of this conflict doing a lot of reading. Now Rome had control of the seas around their turf, and left Carthage in a pretty pickle.

In case you are wondering, "Arjun, why the history lesson?" well i say to you, its a blog, more importantly its MY blog! so go screw your self, I was bored.

Next time on THE PUNIC WARS!! we will find out why the battle of Ecnomus was named that because it was not economically sound, as many people died and boats sunk, leaving another unwanted irony in history! Also, Drepana, what the hell was that all about?? Have the Romans gone mad? Same bat place same bat channel...