1. Cape Ecnomus 256 BC Strategic Context Stakes
The First Punic War begins in 264 BC as Carthaginian and Roman armies become involved in a war in Sicily. This occurs because the Mamertines of Messana appeal to both Carthage and Rome for assistance against Hiero II of Syracuse. The Romans largely expel the Carthaginians from Sicily by defeating them at the Siege of Agrigentum in 262 BC. Surprisingly, the inexperienced Roman navy then defeats Carthage at the Battle of Mylae in 260 BC allowing Rome to invade Corsica and Sardinia. In 256 BC, a Roman fleet under Marcus Atilius Regulus and Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus sails from Sicily to invade North Africa but it is intercepted by a Carthaginian fleet under Hamilcar.
Stakes
+ A Roman victory would permit an invasion of North Africa, threatening Carthage itself.
+ A Carthaginian victory would re-establish its dominance of the Mediterranean Sea, threatening Roman holdings in Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily.
By Jonathan Webb, 2012 ©

2. Cape Ecnomus, 256 BC Strength
Romans
Well
Carthaginians
Well
Marcus Atilius Regulus
Hamilcar
Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus
230 quinqueremes
200 quinqueremes
By Jonathan Webb, 2012 ©

4. (Marcus Atilius Regulus/ Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus)
Hamilcar orders the Carthaginian center to turn and engage the pursuing Roman squadrons as the Carthaginian wings bear down on their intended targets, albeit further to the rear than anticipated. The third Roman squadron releases the transports in tow and maneuvers to hit the Carthaginian left wing’s left flank. The transports head back to base although some get tied up with the triarii squadron; this disorders part of the triarii squadron while the other part engages the Carthaginian right wing at a disadvantage..
The Carthaginian center breaks and flees against Roman grappling and boarding tactics. Manlius’ squadron secures the many captured ships while Regulus turns around to hit the Carthaginian right wing in rear and save the hard-pressed triarii squadron. Meanwhile, the battle near the shore remains a stalemate with the Carthaginian ships unwilling to fully engage the Roman corvi.
Hit in rear by Regulus, the Carthaginian right wing under Hanno breaks and flees. Regulus then leads his squadron to hit the Carthaginian left wing in rear. Having secured the prizes, Manlius joins Regulus in surrounding the Carthaginian left wing, which subsequently surrenders.
Upon sighting the Carthaginian fleet, the Roman consuls do exactly as Hamilcar wants: hastily surge ahead to engage. Hamilcar turns the ships at his center around to lead the Roman into the trap as his wings sail past the Roman leading wedge formation. However, the Roman squadron towing the transports is not able to keep up with the Roman consuls’ squadrons, also slowing the triarii squadron down behind it; the result is a significant gap between the leading and rear squadrons. The Roman rear squadrons veer right and left to try and form a line of battle.
The Carthaginian center is performing poorly against the Roman corvus, an ingenious boarding device, but is so far holding its position. Meanwhile, the Roman right wing skilfully backs itself against the shore line, protecting its flanks and rear from the more agile Carthaginian ships and deterring them with a frontage of corvi; this creates a stalemate on this sector. The Roman triarii squadron on the left finally disentangles itself from the transports but is being outmanoeuvred and taking losses to the strong Carthaginian right wing under Hanno.
The Romans deploy in four squadrons in a compact mass with a leading wedge formation. Two squadrons comprise the leading wedge, Regulus commanding the left, Manlius the right. A third squadron tows the transports just behind the wedge, followed by the veteran triarii squadron further to the rear. The Roman consuls plan to smash through any enemy fleet and push on to North Africa. Hamilcar deploys his fleet in three groups; he commands the center while pushing two columns to his left and right out beyond the Roman line. Hamilcar places the right wing under Hanno and gives him the fastest, most agile ships. Hamilcar plans to lure the Roman fleet in to engage the Carthaginian center while the wings envelop and destroy the tight Roman mass.
Romans
(Marcus Atilius Regulus/ Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus)
230 quinqueremes
Romans
(Regulus/Manlius)
Corvus
Manlius
The Romans were aware of their naval inferiority and inexperience even before the First Punic War BC, and thus introduced a boarding device to make their grappling tactics more effective. The corvus is comprised of a 1.2 by 10.9m wooden bridge with a metal spike at the end’s underside. A pulley system drops the spike on the enemy’s deck, clasping the two ships together, allowing Roman legionnaires to rush across. The corvus thus converts Roman proficiency on land to the sea battle.
Regulus
Manlius
Manlius
Hamilcar
Regulus
Regulus
Carthaginians
(Hamilcar)
200 quinqueremes
Hanno
Carthaginians
(Hamilcar)
Hanno

5. Cape Ecnomus, 256 BC Casualties & Aftermath
Romans:
Carthaginians: 24 or
10% 94 or
47%
The Roman victory allowed their invasion of North Africa to take place unthreatened. In 255 BC, Regulus defeated a Carthaginian army at the Battle of Adys but severe peace terms forced Carthage to continue the war. That same year, Spartan mercenary Xanthippus arrived in Carthage and led its army to victory over Regulus at the Battle of Tunes, forcing a Roman withdrawal from the continent. A storm then destroyed most of the Roman fleet and remaining army before it arrived in Sicily, allowing Carthage to recover. The war continued until 241 BC when the Romans decisively won the naval Battle of the Aegates Islands, and the war.
By Jonathan Webb, 2012 ©

6. The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps
By Jonathan Webb, 2012 ©