260 BC
The corvus
Polybius gives the Carthaginians 130 ships and no figure for the Romans, who probably have about as many. Expecting an easy victory over crews they think inexperienced, the Carthaginians make no line and race at the Roman fleet with their fastest ships in front.
A reconstruction of the corvus raised at the bow of a Roman warship, from a Swedish book on inventions, 1926Wikimedia Commons, unknown author, Public domain (Corvus änterbrygga.png)
As the leading ships close, the Romans drop the corvi onto the Carthaginian decks and hold the ships fast, and legionaries cross the bridges and fight as on land. The first 30 Carthaginian ships are taken in this way, among them Hannibal’s flagship. Hannibal escapes in a small boat.
Sources
- Polybius, Histories, book 1, 22 to 23.
- John Lazenby, The First Punic War (1996).
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