Battle of Drepana
Off Trapani (ancient Drepana), Sicily, Italy
What happened
A Carthaginian fleet under Adherbal fought a Roman fleet under the consul Publius Claudius Pulcher. During the First Punic War, Pulcher sailed at night to surprise the Carthaginian fleet in the harbour of Drepana, but his ships became scattered in the dark. Adherbal led his fleet out to open sea and attacked, pinning the Romans against the shore. Over a day of fighting, the faster Carthaginian ships with better crews won.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was Carthage's greatest naval victory of the war. Rome did not build another big fleet for seven years.
What came next
Pulcher was recalled to Rome and punished. Rome finally won the war at the Aegates Islands in 241 BCE.
Did you know?
Before the battle the sacred chickens refused to eat, a bad omen; Pulcher is said to have thrown them overboard, remarking that if they were not hungry, perhaps they were thirsty.
Timeline
- 249 BCECarthage wins at Drepana.
- 241 BCERome wins at the Aegates Islands.