The First Punic War - OverSimplified (Part 1)

Summary

This humorous video explores the origins of Rome and the Punic Wars with Carthage. It starts with Rome's founding by Romulus and Remus and its aggressive expansion, leading to conflicts with Carthage, a dominant sea power. The video highlights the strategic blunders and military tactics, like Rome's innovative Corvus, which turned sea battles into land battles. It culminates with the massive Battle of Cape Ecnomus, where Rome's naval prowess secured victory despite the odds.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The video is sponsored by NordVPN, promoting an exclusive deal with a discount and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
• 🐺 The story of Rome's founding by Romulus and Remus, who were raised by a she-wolf, is mentioned with a humorous tone.
• 🛑 Romulus killed Remus to become the first king of Rome, highlighting the violent beginnings of the city.
• 🏰 Rome's early history involved aggressive expansion and warfare, including the kidnapping of women from neighboring cities.
• 🗝️ The Roman Republic was established after the overthrow of the monarchy, but this did not reduce violence; it increased Rome's military campaigns.
• 🏺 Carthage, founded by Phoenicians, was a powerful trading entity in the Mediterranean, with a different culture and approach to power compared to Rome.
• 🔄 The relationship between Rome and Carthage started friendly but soured due to conflicting interests, particularly over Sicily.
• 🏹 The Mamertines, a group of mercenaries, played a pivotal role in sparking conflict by seeking help from both Carthage and Rome, leading to the First Punic War.
• ⛵ Rome, despite having a smaller and less experienced navy, managed to build a fleet from scratch and innovate with the Corvus to compete with Carthage's naval prowess.
• 🌊 The Battle of Cape Ecnomus was a massive naval battle that showcased Rome's determination and strategic innovation, resulting in a significant Roman victory.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Bucket Plushy and Punic War character pins mentioned in the script?

The Bucket Plushy and Punic War character pins are merchandise items that are being promoted in the video script. They are likely related to the content of the video, which discusses the Punic Wars, and are offered as collectibles for viewers.

Why did Romulus kill Remus according to the video script?

According to the video script, Romulus killed Remus because they couldn't agree on which of them should be the king of Rome after they founded it in 753 BC.

How did Rome initially increase its population according to the script?

The script humorously suggests that Rome initially increased its population by inviting neighboring cities for a feast and then kidnapping all of their women.

What was the political structure of Rome after overthrowing the kings, as mentioned in the script?

After overthrowing the kings, Rome established itself as a republic, which is indicated in the script as a significant change from the monarchy.

What was Carthage's origin and how did it become a power in the Mediterranean, according to the script?

Carthage was founded in 814 BC by Phoenicians from Tyre who sought to export goods across the Mediterranean. It became a dominant trading power and established a number of colonies, one of which was Carthage itself.

What was the main difference between Rome and Carthage's approach to power and expansion, as depicted in the script?

The script depicts Rome as aggressive and expansionist, often viewing expansion as a defensive act, while Carthage was protective of its trade network and more cautious in its approach to conflict.

Why did the Mamertines invite the Romans to Messana, as described in the script?

The Mamertines invited the Romans to Messana because they were being attacked by Syracuse and needed a powerful ally to protect them, which eventually led to the Romans getting involved in the region's conflicts.

What was the Roman Consuls' motivation for going to Messana, as per the script?

The Roman Consuls were motivated to go to Messana to gain glory and prestige, which were highly valued in Roman society, and to prevent any one man from gaining too much power by spreading their influence.

How did the Romans manage to build a war fleet so quickly, as mentioned in the script?

The Romans managed to build a war fleet quickly by copying the design of a Carthaginian quinquireme that had grounded on Italian soil, and by training rowers on land.

What was the Corvus and how did it change naval warfare for the Romans, according to the script?

The Corvus was a large swinging spiked gangway that the Romans attached to their ships, allowing them to turn sea battles into land battles by boarding enemy ships. This innovation gave the Romans an advantage in naval warfare despite their inexperience.

Why was the Battle of Cape Ecnomus significant, as described in the script?

The Battle of Cape Ecnomus was significant because it was possibly the largest naval battle in human history at the time, involving 680 warships and around 300,000 men, and it was crucial in deciding the course of the war between Rome and Carthage.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Early Roman History and the Punic Wars

The paragraph humorously introduces the Roman civilization's early history, focusing on the founding of Rome by Romulus and Remus and the subsequent violent power struggles. It also touches on Rome's early expansionist tactics, such as the abduction of women from neighboring cities and the conquest of various Italian tribes. The narrative then sets the stage for the Punic Wars, introducing Carthage as a dominant trading power in the Mediterranean, founded by Phoenicians from Tyre. The differences between Rome and Carthage are highlighted, with Rome being an aggressive, land-based power and Carthage being a wealthy, trade-focused maritime civilization.

05:03

🏺 The Prelude to the Punic Wars

This section delves into the tensions leading up to the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage. It starts with the Mamertines, a group of Italian mercenaries who, after being dismissed by the tyrant of Syracuse, take over the city of Messana and request aid from both Carthage and Rome. The paragraph describes how the Romans, despite their exhaustion from recent conquests and the geographical challenge of crossing the sea, decide to intervene in Sicily, driven by their aggressive expansionist policies and the desire for military glory by their consuls, who are elected for only one year and thus seek to capitalize on their limited time in office.

10:06

🚣‍♂️ Rome's Naval Awakening

The paragraph narrates Rome's initial foray into naval warfare during the First Punic War. Despite being inexperienced at sea, the Romans manage to build a fleet from scratch after replicating a captured Carthaginian warship. The rapid construction of a fleet within two months is contrasted with the lengthy production time of the video series, adding a humorous touch. The Romans' first naval battle at Messana is detailed, highlighting their inexperience and the challenges they faced against the seasoned Carthaginian navy. The Roman victory at Agrigentum, albeit with heavy losses, is also mentioned, emphasizing Rome's determination to continue the war despite the logistical difficulties of fighting outside the Italian peninsula.

15:07

🛳 Rome's Ingenious Naval Innovation

This section describes how Rome addressed its naval disadvantages by inventing the Corvus, a large boarding bridge that allowed Roman soldiers to fight Carthaginian ships as if they were on land. The paragraph explains the strategic advantage the Corvus gave to the Romans, turning sea battles into a form of land combat where Roman infantry could dominate. The success of this innovation is exemplified in the Roman victory that followed its deployment, showcasing their ability to adapt and overcome challenges.

20:08

🏰 The Stalemate in Sicily and Rome's Audacious Plan

The paragraph discusses the protracted conflict in Sicily, where the Romans and Carthaginians engaged in a war of attrition with slow territorial gains and high costs for both sides. It introduces Marcus Atilius Regulus, a Roman consul who proposes a bold plan to bypass the stalemate in Sicily and directly attack Carthage. The narrative captures the brutality of ancient warfare, where the enslavement of women and children and the massacre of populations were common consequences of military campaigns.

25:09

🌊 The Battle of Cape Ecnomus

This section describes the massive naval engagement at Cape Ecnomus, which was a pivotal moment in the First Punic War. With the Romans assembling an unprecedented invasion fleet and the Carthaginians preparing to counter them, the stage was set for a colossal battle involving hundreds of warships and thousands of soldiers. The Romans' strategic formation and the Carthaginians' failed attempt to outmaneuver them led to a decisive Roman victory, reinforcing their control over the seas and setting the stage for further invasion plans.

Keywords

💡NordVPN

NordVPN is a virtual private network (VPN) service provider that is mentioned in the script as a sponsor of the video. VPNs allow users to encrypt their internet connections and hide their IP addresses, providing privacy and security online. In the context of the video, NordVPN is advertised as a way to protect one's data from being sold to advertisers, which is a metaphor for the broader theme of protection and defense that is explored in the historical narrative of Rome and Carthage.

💡Punic War

The Punic Wars were a series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage from 264 to 146 BC. The term 'Punic' refers to the Carthaginians, who were of Phoenician descent. In the video, the Punic War is central to the narrative, illustrating the conflict and rivalry between these two ancient superpowers, which is used as a backdrop to discuss Roman history and military strategy.

💡Carthage

Carthage was an ancient city-state located in modern-day Tunisia, known for its powerful navy and trading empire. In the script, Carthage is depicted as a wealthy and influential force in the Mediterranean, with a strong trade network and a military that is initially superior to Rome's, particularly in naval warfare.

💡Rome

Rome refers to the ancient civilization that eventually became the Roman Empire. The video uses Rome's history as a starting point to explore its early conflicts, particularly with Carthage. Rome is portrayed as aggressive and expansionist, with a focus on military conquest and the acquisition of glory.

💡Corvus

The Corvus was a type of boarding bridge used by the Roman navy during the First Punic War. It was a large, movable gangplank with a spike at the end that could be dropped onto enemy ships, allowing Roman soldiers to board and engage in hand-to-hand combat. The script highlights the Corvus as an example of Roman innovation and adaptation in warfare, turning naval battles into a form of land combat where they had the advantage.

💡Consul

In the Roman Republic, consuls were the highest elected officials and held significant power, including military command. The script mentions the consuls as key figures in Rome's decision-making process, particularly in relation to waging war and seeking glory, which was essential for their political careers.

💡Sacrilege

Sacrilege refers to the disrespectful or irreverent treatment of sacred things, such as religious symbols or practices. In the script, the term is used humorously to describe the Roman's supposed copying of their enemies' technologies and strategies, suggesting that they were willing to adopt and adapt anything that would give them an advantage, regardless of its origins.

💡Mamertines

The Mamertines were a group of Celtic mercenaries who played a role in the lead-up to the First Punic War. In the video, they are depicted as causing trouble in the region of Messana, which becomes a catalyst for the conflict between Rome and Carthage. The Mamertines' actions illustrate how smaller factions and local disputes could escalate into larger wars involving major powers.

💡Siege

A siege is a military operation in which enemy forces surround a town or building, cutting off supplies and attempting to force a surrender. The script describes several instances of siege warfare during the Punic Wars, highlighting the strategic and logistical challenges faced by both Rome and Carthage as they sought to control cities and territories.

💡Agrigentum

Agrigentum, also known as modern-day Agrigento, was a city in Sicily that played a significant role in the First Punic War. In the script, the Romans' siege of Agrigentum is mentioned as an example of their aggressive tactics and the challenges they faced in supplying their forces during overseas campaigns.

💡Cape Ecnomus

The Battle of Cape Ecnomus was a naval battle during the First Punic War, where the Romans achieved a significant victory over the Carthaginian fleet. The script uses this battle to illustrate the effectiveness of Roman naval tactics and the impact of their innovative use of the Corvus, which allowed them to overcome the superior seamanship of the Carthaginians.

Highlights

Introduction of NordVPN promotion with an exclusive deal and 30-day money-back guarantee.

Announcement of the new Bucket Plushy and Punic War character pins.

Historical narrative begins with the founding of Rome by Romulus and Remus in 753 BC.

Description of Rome's early history, including the fratricide of Remus by Romulus.

Account of Rome's strategy to increase its population by kidnapping women from neighboring cities.

Transition from monarchy to the establishment of the Roman Republic.

Explanation of Rome's aggressive expansion and conquests after becoming a republic.

Carthage's origins as a Phoenician trade colony and its rise to power.

Comparison of Rome and Carthage's political systems and economic foundations.

Carthage's wealth accumulation through trade and their possible practice of child sacrifice.

The initial friendly relations between Rome and Carthage, including signed treaties.

The Mamertines' betrayal and massacre in Messana, leading to their plea for help from Carthage and Rome.

Roman political system's encouragement for Consuls to seek military glory.

Roman victory at the Battle of Messana and the beginning of the First Punic War.

Roman challenges in supplying their forces during the siege of Agrigentum.

Roman construction of a war fleet from scratch and their first naval battle.

Invention of the Corvus by the Romans to turn sea battles into land battles.

Roman victory at the Battle of Cape Ecnomus, one of the largest naval battles in ancient history.

Carthaginian strategy to prevent a Roman invasion of Africa.

Transcripts

- [OverSimplified] This video was made possible by NordVPN.

Click the link below and get an exclusive deal

with a huge discount and a 30 day money-back guarantee.

Introducing our new, glorious, breathtaking Bucket Plushy.

Limited quantity, available now,

along with some Punic War character pins.

- [Character] Oh, wow!

- [OverSimplified] Buy them, or I'll marry your mother.

It's your choice.

- [Dad] Oh, Marcelus! You sure have a lot of dignitas!

Kiss me!

Okay.

(imitates kissing)

- [Timulus] Hey dad?

- [Dad] Hi son, just reading the newspaper.

What can I do for you?

- [Timulus] Well, you know how you always say Rome

is the greatest civilization in the world?

- [Dad] It bloody well is!

- [Timulus] Well, I was just wondering,

what makes us so great?

How did we come to be?

- [Dad] Wow. My son!

Boy, let me take you on a journey to this side of the room.

The story of Rome begins with these beautiful baby boys

going to town on some she-wolf mommy milkers.

- [Timulus] That's gross.

- [Dad] You're gross!

Sorry, son.

You're not gross. I love you.

They're called Romulus and Remus and when they grew up,

in 753 BC, they founded Rome

But there was just one problem.

They couldn't agree on which of them should be the king.

- [Timulus] But they worked it out peacefully, right?

- [Dad] Oh, heavens no!

Romulus caved Remus's skull in with a shovel.

Here's a picture.

- [Timulus] Our first king committed fratricide?

- [Dad] I know, look at his face!

- [Timulus] When's the part where we become

the greatest civilization, Dad?

- [Dad] Well, you see, at first Rome was full of men.

- Oh yeah! - I'm talking

like a real sausage party.

You know what I mean?

- [Timulus] Yes, sir.

- [Dad] So we invited some neighboring cities over

for a big feast and then we literally kidnapped all

of their women.

Here's a picture.

(laughs) Look at that one. She's like, bah!

(Dad laughs) - This is messed up.

- [Dad] You're messed up!

Ugh, sorry, sorry. I'll be a better father.

I promise.

So then, finally, after centuries of monarchy,

those tyrannical kings started getting a little too big

for their britches, so we overthrew the kings

and established Rome as a republic.

- [Timulus] Is that when all the killing stopped?

- [Dad] Oh, heavens no!

That's when the killing surged, baby!

We went wild and conquered the Latin League,

the Samnites, the Etruscans!

Woo, what a rush!

- [Timulus] Dad, Rome seems pretty barbaric.

- [Dad] You're barbaric!

Oh, I forgot to tell you about the time a prophet

told Saturn his son would one day overthrow him.

So Saturn literally ate his own son,

seconds after he was born.

- [Timulus] I don't wanna see a picture.

- [Dad] Here's a picture.

- [Timulus] Dad! Look at that!

- [Dad] Hmm?

- [Timulus] That's messed up, man.

Are we really this uncivilized?

- [Dad] Hey, hey, if we were so uncivilized,

would we use communal toilets where we all fart

and poo together in one big stinky, steamy,

dirty toilet room?

- [Timulus] Yeah, dad, we would!

- [Dad] Clean your butt with the sponge, Timulus!

- [Timulus] But all these guys just used it.

- [Roman] What's wrong with your son, bro?

- [Timulus] I don't wanna be Roman. This is so weird.

- [Dad] You're weird!

Sorry, you're not weird. I'm sure you're probably fine.

Huh?

(Timulus screams)

- [OverSimplified] The Roman Republic, the nation that,

since its foundation, had been stabbing necks

all the way down the Italian peninsula.

But this isn't the famous Roman Empire

that ruled the known world.

Not yet, anyway.

This is a relatively juvenile Rome,

(Rome passes gas) still just a regional power.

In 264 BC, the big daddy of the Western Mediterranean

was Carthage.

Let's rewind a bit.

Carthage was founded in 814 BC when some Phoenicians in Tyre

had mega surplus of goods and decided to export those goods

across the Mediterranean.

They became the dominant trading power in the region

and to support their growing trade network,

the Phoenicians established a number of colonies,

one of which was Carthage.

Therefore, Carthage began its life

as a Phoenician trade colony

and the Carthaginians were actually Phoenicians,

or, if you're a Latin speaking Roman, they were Punic,

hence the name of the video.

- Oh! - Over the centuries,

Carthage gradually expanded

and became the region's base of power.

Just like Rome, Carthage was a semi-democratic Republic

with its own Senate and Judiciary.

But there were also some pretty hefty differences

between the two.

While Rome was big into farming and stabbing people

in the neck, the Carthaginians, on the other hand,

just like their Phoenician forefathers,

had built their power through trade

and navigating the waves.

They went here and there, selling ivory tusks,

gold, and slaves.

And as a result, (Carthaginians cheer)

they were rolling in it.

Whenever they weren't busy swimming around

in their copious hoards of money, in their spare time,

they also possibly enjoyed sacrificing their children

to Ba'al, the God of, let me just check my notes,

ah, yes, plant fertility.

- [Farmer] Oh boy, these figs aren't looking too hot.

Maybe if I throw my son into a burning pit of fire,

they'll grow.

- [Son] Have you tried watering them, Dad?

- [Farmer] Hmm.

No, we'll try that second.

- [OverSimplified] As a result of all their trading,

Carthage had emerged as one

of the Mediterranean superpowers.

"But wait," they said.

"Rome? What the heck is that?"

Well, I know it's a pretty obscure little country

that you've probably never heard of,

but this spunky young nation was about

to upset the entire region's balance of power.

Initially, the two sites enjoyed

relatively friendly relations

and it even signed a couple treaties.

But it was a relationship that was practically destined

to turn sour.

See, Rome had a thing where they liked

to aggressively expand their boundaries,

often viewing such expansion as a defensive act.

Kind of like when you could kill your neighbor

because you knew eventually they would've tried

to kill you first.

Meanwhile, Carthage was extremely protective

of its wealthy trade network.

So if you put a very strategically important island

between them, well, two plus two equals war.

Tensions rose and the two sides began viewing each other

with increasing disdain.

The hardworking Romans looked across the water

at the money-hungry Carthaginians and said,

"Look at those dishonest crooks.

Bet they've never done an honest day's work in their lives!"

And the Carthaginians looked back and said,

"Look at those simple-minded brutes.

Bet they've never sacrificed a baby in their lives!"

"Yeah!"

While war between the two superpowers seemed inevitable,

the event that finally triggered it was a little unexpected.

The whole thing began with a few simple mad lads

on a wild night out.

These mad lads are called the Mamertines.

They were Italian mercenaries employed

by the tyrant of Syracuse, here.

But when he died, his successor said,

"Sorry, fellas, we don't need any big burly men

with sharp sticks anymore.

You can all go home."

- [Mamertines] Aw.

- [OverSimplified] The Mamertines, as it turned out,

didn't want to go home.

So instead, they went to the nearby town of Messana

and said, "Hey man, we are but poor little buff boys

without a home.

May we come in?"

- [Guard] Aw, poor fellas. Sure thing!

Ah, ah, just so long as you promise

not to massacre all of us.

- [Mamertines] (laugh) We promise!

- [OverSimplified] The Mamertines

then massacred all of them.

Well, not all of them, just the men.

And they stole their homes and families.

- [Mamertine] Ha, this is my house now!

This is my Best Dad Ever mug now!

And you guys are my new family!

Son, wanna go play catch with your old papa?

- [Son] You're not my real dad!

- [Mamertine] Ugh, teenagers, am I right, dear?

- [Woman] You're not my real husband.

- [Mamertine] Ugh, I'm so trapped in this marriage.

- [Woman] Then get out!

- [Mamertine] No.

- [OverSimplified] Messana was now controlled

by the Mamertines and they began raiding

up and down the Syracuse coastline.

When the new ruler of Syracuse saw this, he wasn't happy.

The Syracusans began fighting back and in response,

the Mamertines said, "Oh, crap, they're fighting back?

What do we do?"

- [Mamertine] Quick, we'll convince the Carthaginians

to come and save us.

Oh no! We're in trouble!

And we need a big, strong empire to come

and rub our bellies.

- [Mamertine Leader] Why are you saying it like that?

- [Mamertine] If I was a big, strong empire,

I think I'd like to be seduced.

(Carthaginians murmur)

See, it's working!

- [OverSimplified] The Carthaginians had long dreamed

of controlling all of Sicily.

They had been fighting Syracuse and their Greek influence

on the island for centuries

and now here was a great opportunity

to get one over on them.

So Carthage promptly answered the Mamertines's cry for help

and sent a force to garrison Messana.

As it turned out, however, some within the ranks

of the Mamertines weren't too happy

with the occupying Carthaginians

and they sent out a second cry for help to Rome.

When it reached the Roman Senate,

they were a little more hesitant.

Going to help the Mamertines ran the risk

of triggering an all-out war with Carthage

and they had only just finished

conquering the Italian peninsula,

so they were kind of tired.

Plus the Mamertines were all the way across the water.

They had never made a leap like that before.

So you would assume that to avoid any conflict

with Carthage, the exhausted Romans

would probably sit this one out,

But you would assume wrong.

Rome just couldn't resist a good chance for war. Why?

Well, there's something you gotta understand about Rome.

See, as a Republic, they were hell-bent

on preventing any one man from ever gaining too much power.

And so rather than having one leader,

Rome had two, called Consuls, who shared power.

These Consuls could also only serve for one year at a time

before new Consuls were elected.

These measures, to limit the powers of the Consuls,

were noble, but had an interesting side effect.

The Consuls knew they had just one year

to try and gain as much glory and prestige as possible,

something that was very important in Roman society.

And the best way of gaining glory and prestige?

Military victory, of course.

The Roman political system basically ended up

encouraging these Consuls to go out and be as aggressive

as your Italian grandmother

when you don't eat all the spaghett.

And so the glory-seeking Consuls convinced the people

to vote in favor of going to Messana.

And in they went.

Upon the arrival of the Romans,

the Carthaginians in the city, amongst the confusion,

were forced to leave.

Now in contrast to Roman aggression,

the Carthaginian military

had a slightly different philosophy.

- [Teacher] All right, kids, listen up.

If you wanna grow up to be Carthaginian military leaders,

there's a few things you have to understand.

If you fail to succeed on the battlefield,

that's a crucifixion.

Showing cowardice, that's a crucifixion.

- [Warrior] Hello, sir.

- [Teacher] Huh? What are you doing here?

Aren't you meant to be in Messana?

- [Warrior] Yeah, but the Romans showed up.

- [Teacher] So you just left?

- [Warrior] Sure did.

- [Teacher] Oh, you better believe that's a crucifixion.

(class cheers)

- [OverSimplified] The Roman Consuls were awarded

for victory and therefore tended

to be aggressive go-getters.

By contrast, the Carthaginian generals

were brutally punished for failure

and so they tended to be more cautious and restrained.

This dynamic is helpful for understanding some

of the crazy things that happened during the Punic Wars.

So the Romans have crossed over to Messana

and now there was some red on the island.

Hit that panic button.

(crowd screams)

This turn of events was unacceptable

to both Carthage and Syracuse.

So the traditional enemies teamed up

to kick the Romans off their island.

They surrounded the city and said,

"Hey, you jerks, this isn't your island!

Come out of there at once!"

- [Romans] Okay, we're coming!

- [Carthaginian] See, Phil.

You just gotta speak with authority.

That's what being an alpha male's all about.

- [Romans] Hey man.

- [Carthaginian] Oh, you brought your weapons and armor?

No, I didn't mean. Oh, crap.

- [OverSimplified] Out the Roman legions came

to engage the Carthaginians in battle

and they sent them packing.

With the battle of Messana, whether intended or not,

by going to help the Mamertines,

the two sides had just slipped into an all-out war.

With the initial Roman victory, towns across Sicily,

including Syracuse began switching allegiance.

Because being a winner is more fun.

But the Carthaginians weren't about

to just give up that easily.

In 262 BC, they began building up their forces

at Agrigentum.

So the Romans, being aggressive go-getters,

aggressively go got them.

The Romans immediately laid siege,

hoping to starve out the Carthaginian garrison.

However, because this was the first time Rome

had been fighting outside the Italian peninsula,

across the water, they struggled to supply their forces.

And before long, the Romans were

as starving as the Carthaginians they were besieging.

They had to forage for food, leaving them open to ambush.

And when Carthaginian reinforcement arrived,

creating a double siege, things got really bad.

Everybody starved each other for months

until nobody could take it anymore

and they all finally came out for battle, which Rome won.

- [War Counselor] Here's the report

from the recent siege at Agrigentum, sir.

- [Senate Member] We killed 30,000

while only suffering 7,000 losses?

That's amazing! We're the best!

- [War Counselor] Yes, sir.

Whoops, those are the wrong way around.

- [Senate Member] What? We lost 30,000?

We're the worst! But we won, right?

- [War Counselor] Yes, sir.

- [Senate Member] But we also got our asses kicked?

- [War Counselor] Yes, sir.

- [Senate Member] So are we the best or the worst?

- [War Counselor] Yes, sir.

(Senate murmurs)

- [OverSimplified] The Romans wanted Agrigentum

because they were aggressive go-getters

and they now began eyeing up the possibility

of conquering the entire island.

But they also suffered very heavy losses

and it was clear they couldn't sustain a campaign

if they couldn't supply their troops.

Here's the issue. Sicily was an island.

Islands are surrounded by water.

A strong navy would be vital for supplying troops

and winning the war.

Here was Carthage's navy and here was Rome's.

(water splashes) I think you

can see the problem.

Historians debate just how much naval experience Rome

had at this point.

Presumably, they must have had something

to defend their shoreline.

But whatever it was, it would've paled in comparison

to the Carthaginian juggernaut.

And so Rome had to figure out exactly what to do

about all this water.

- [Roman General] Come on, men!

We're not gonna let some pansy,

candy-ass water get in the way

of our glorious victory against Carthage!

Charge!

(Roman General sputters)

Tell my kids I love them!

- [Roman Leader] We're gonna need a bigger boat.

- [Roman Warrior] What's a boat?

- [Roman Leader] I don't know.

- [OverSimplified] If the Romans wanted to win this war

and obtain Sicily, there was only one thing for them to do.

- [Roman General] I guess we're just gonna have

to go ahead and build ourselves a war fleet, aren't we?

- [Hank] From scratch?

- [Roman General] From scratch.

- [Hank] But we don't even know how,

never mind how to fight with one.

- [Roman General] Don't worry, Hank.

We're up to the challenge. Come on, guys.

We're Romans and Romans aren't afraid of anything! (screams)

- [OverSimplified] And so the Romans worked long and hard,

trying to figure out how on earth you actually built

the latest style of warship.

In the end, they had a bit of luck on their side.

A Carthaginian quinquireme ended up

accidentally grounding on Italian soil.

The Romans found it and copied the design.

While the new fleet was being built,

the Romans trained rowers on land and, would you believe it,

the Romans put together a full fighting fleet

of 120 warships in just two months, a staggering feat.

Now, I know what you're thinking.

"But OverSimplified, if the Romans can build a war fleet

from scratch in two months,

then why does it take you half a year to make a video?"

Well, my valued subscriber, I think you should shut up.

- [Carthaginian General] What the heck?

How on earth did the Romans learn how to build a war fleet?

This shouldn't be happening!

- [Carl] From what I hear,

they copied the design from us, sir.

- [Carthaginian General] Well, how on earth

did they get the blueprint, Carl?

- [Carl] I don't know, sir.

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- [Carthaginian General] No.

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- [Carthaginian General] If you mention NordVPN,

I'll scream!

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So thank you.

Now, where were we?

Oh yeah, the siege at Agrigentum, supply issues,

and building a war fleet.

So now the Romans have a navy and it's time

to put it to the test.

But how does one wage ancient naval warfare?

Easy! (bell dings)

All of the ships had giant bronze rams on the front,

so all you had to do was out-maneuver the enemy

and give them the jimmies.

Easy as pie.

And so the aggressive Romans set out

for some good old fashioned jimmy-giving.

The Consul Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio set out for the town

of Lipara, believing the garrison there wanted

to join the Romans.

As he entered the harbor, however, he found himself trapped

by a Carthaginian fleet and, in the following skirmish,

he was completely outmatched.

The Romans may have had a brand new fleet,

but when it came to engaging in actual combat,

their inexperience showed.

There was just something better

about the Carthaginian ships.

The Carthaginian rowers had nicer abs.

The entire Carthaginian Empire had been built

on expert seamanship.

So when it came to water, the Carthaginians were better

and the Romans were wetter.

In their initial skirmish, the Romans were beaten so badly

that the Consul, Scipio, was given a nickname, Asina.

And if you're wondering what that means, just drop the -ina.

(donkey hee-haws)

So what were the Romans to do?

How could they possibly stand up

to this Carthaginian superpower?

Well, there's something you gotta understand

about the Romans.

Back when they found that Carthaginian ship

and copied its design, that wasn't a one-off thing.

Copying their enemies was as Roman as punishing murderers

by sewing them into a leather pouch with a monkey, snake,

and rooster and then throwing them into a river,

which is a thing they did.

Wait, what was I talking about?

Oh yeah, copying their enemies.

Many of the most famous Roman inventions

were actually borrowed.

Aqueducts, chariot racing, their gods.

Even in warfare, the Romans would get pierced

by a Sabine javelin and they'd be like, "Wow!"

They'd get hacked to bits by an Iberian sword

and they'd be like, "Wow!"

And they'd copy the designs for themselves.

However, they wouldn't just copy it.

They would advance it, finding ways to adapt it

as perfectly as possible.

And in the case of naval warfare, the Romans realized

if they wanted to beat the Carthaginians at their own game,

they would have to adapt.

The Romans excelled at combat on land, not on water.

"But what if," they said, "We could somehow

turn a sea battle into a land battle?"

Sounds crazy, right?

Well, they made a couple of tweaks

to their warship and--

- [Carthaginian General] Look, here they come again!

They must love getting their asses kicked!

- [Carthaginian] Uh, sir, almost that tall thing

sticking out of their ships?

- [Carthaginian General] (laughs) They really are idiots!

Look at that thing! That'll make them blow over!

I mean, look at... (laughs)

Bob, get your camera out!

(laughs) Take a picture of it.

I mean, how stupid can you be?

Let's just add a big wooden tower to our ship

that'll weigh us down and blow us over in the wind!

I mean, what does that thing even do?

(ship crunches)

(men yell)

- [OverSimplified] The Romans had built

a big swinging spiked gangway called the Corvus.

So when the Carthaginian ships approached to ram them,

the Romans would just slam them.

The Carthaginians tried going around. No problem.

The Corvus could swivel.

Try going behind, the Romans would huddle to the coastline.

It was foolproof. (Romans cheer)

Those big sexy Carthaginian rowing muscles

could flex all they want, but they were no match

for the Roman mind.

So ladies, you see?

What really matters is what's on the inside.

Please go out with me.

And with that, the Romans, who had only just recently

began dabbling in the art of naval combat,

thanks to their ingenious Corvus, had just managed

to outclass the Mediterranean seafaring superpower.

The Carthaginians were stunned.

And the general in charge

of the defeated Carthaginian fleet?

Well, you better believe that's a crucifixion.

(kids cheer)

With their newfound control of the seas,

the Romans could now more easily blockade coastal cities

and supply their legions on land.

Surely the Romans were now free

to unleash their aggression all over the island.

- [Roman General] Haha! Hey Carthaginians!

What are you gonna do now that we're free

to rampage across the island?

- [Carthaginian General] We're gonna go inside these walls

and close this gate.

- [Roman General] Oh, come on guys.

Stop messing around. Come out so we can kill you!

- [Carthaginian General] No.

- [Roman General] Oh, come on!

- [Carthaginian General] No.

- [Roman General] Oh no!

- [OverSimplified] To counter the new Romans supremacy,

the Carthaginians decided to engage

in a defensive war of attrition,

forcing the Romans to engage in siege after lengthy siege.

The war in Sicily became a long, hard, back and forth slug.

One by one, cities slowly fell as the Romans gained ground.

Occasionally, the Carthaginians countered

and even pushed them back,

only for the Romans to rebound again.

And whenever a city did finally fall,

the Romans could delight

in slaughtering the entire population

and selling any survivors into slavery,

which was pretty standard procedure at the time.

In general, the campaign on land was progressing much slower

than the Romans had hoped.

And quite frankly, they were getting sick of it.

So in 256 BC, they decided that something had to change.

- [Marcus] Hey everyone, my name's Marcus Atilius Regulus

and I'll be one of your Consuls for this year.

Look as I'm sure you all know,

Sicily's being a bit of a drag.

Sure, I could go and spend my entire year as Consul

besieging one single city, but they'll never make

a naked statue of me for that.

So here's the new plan.

I'm gonna skip Sicily entirely, take my army,

and go right for the heart of Carthage itself.

I'll slaughter the men, enslave all the women and children,

and when I return, you'll all build

1,000 naked statues of me.

(crowd cheers)

- [Jim] Marcus, that woman and children stuff.

That seems pretty evil and barbaric.

- [Marcus] No, Jim, it's perfectly normal

in the ancient world.

Sometimes we even chop their pets in half.

(crowd cheers)

- [Carthaginian General] Okay guys, looks like the Romans

are coming straight for us this time.

And what will they do when they get here?

They'll kill us all.

(crowd gasps)

They'll massacre each and every last one of us.

They may even chop our pets in half.

- [Rob] That's barbaric!

- [Carthaginian General] No, Rob,

it's actually pretty normal for the time.

We'd do the same to them.

- [Mary] Who will protect us?

- [Carthaginian General] Funny you should ask, Mary.

That's kind of why I called this meeting.

Who will protect us?

Protect our families, our homes, our children?

You guys? Ha, don't make me laugh.

Why, you're just a bunch of stupid and weak farmers.

Simple-minded buffoons, cowards, fools.

Rob here thinks enslaving women and children is barbaric.

You're a snowflake, Rob. Yes, you are.

The fact is if the Romans manage to land on African soil,

we're all gonna die a terrifying, hideous,

unspeakably painful death.

- [Rob] Is that the end of that speech?

- [Carthaginian General] Yes.

(crowd screams)

- [OverSimplified] The Carthaginians had to stop the Romans

from ever landing in Africa because they believed

that would be the end.

So as the Romans were building an invasion fleet

the size of which the world had never seen before,

the Carthaginians were preparing an even bigger one

to stop them.

And in 256 BC, as the Roman invasion fleet

made its way south, the stage was set

for a humongous battle that saw 680 warships,

around 300,000 men, fighting to decide

the course of the war.

To this day, the Battle of Cape Ecnomus

remains possibly the largest naval battle in human history,

all the way back in ancient times.

So the next time your granddad tells you

about the time he sank a Japanese aircraft carrier,

kick him in the nuts.

The Romans had a lot riding on this battle.

They weren't just sending their warships,

but transports as well, full of supplies and horses

for their invasion of Africa.

They therefore formed a protective wedge-like formation

to punch through the long, thin Carthaginian line.

The Carthaginian generals, however, desperate

to prevent the Romans from reaching Africa,

had a plan of their own.

As the Roman fleet approached, the Carthaginian center

feigned a retreat luring the Romans in

so their outstretched flanks could envelop them

and get around the Roman Corvus, a clever plan.

But with such a huge battle

and so many ships crowded together,

the Carthaginians struggled to maneuver as hoped

and in the chaos, three separate battles emerged

across the huge battle space.

With the number of ships limiting their ability to maneuver,

the Carthaginians became sitting ducks

and all the Romans had to do was start swinging.

The Roman center came out on top and were then able

to turn around and rescue their pinned-down flanks.

The battle of Cape Ecnomus was a Roman victory.

(epic music)