Battle of Drepana : Greatest Naval Victory of Carthage against Rome (First Punic War)

Battle of Drepana was fought between Carthage and Rome in 249 BC near the coast of western Sicily. The Carthaginian navy got its greatest victory over Roman navy and almost destroyed it. It was so demoralizing for the Romans that they didn't build another fleet or try to challenge Carthaginian navy for seven years. Carthage ruled the Sicilian water for next seven years unchallenged and even raided the Italian coast.

Battle of Drepana (249 BC)

Prelude : 

Roman supremacy on land battles was already proven but astonishing success of their navy in the battles like Cape Icnomus and Mylae highly boosted their moral. The inventions they made to transform the sea battles to land battles worked very well (The invention of corvus, the hook like device to pull and board the enemy ships). The defeat in battle of Tunis stopped the roman attempt to beat Carthage in Africa and forced the Romans to concentrate in Sicily. To drive out Carthage from Sicily, Rome needed to capture their strongholds in the island. So, the roman fleet under consuls Publius Claudius Pulcher and Lucius Junius Pullus besieged the port city and Carthaginian stronghold Lilybaeum. Their target was to cut the city from Carthage and force it to surrender. Well that didn't go according to the plan. A small squadron of Carthaginian ships under commander Hannibal broke the blockade in daylight and delivered the supply. That encouraged more of these attempts and Carthaginians did it more than once. It was a total humiliation for Romans. Their plan was totally disrupted by these trespassing. Their goal of blockade was to cut all the connection with Carthage but the city was well fed and connected with Carthage all along. Those trespassing were happening in broad daylight and defying the roman navy on their face. Rome may have won two battles and gathered more experience in naval warfare but Carthage was still the master of open sea maneuvering. Witnessing the total failure of the siege Pulcher came up with a new plan. The trespasser ships belonged to the Carthaginian fleet anchored in Drepana. So, Pulcher planned a surprise attack on Drepana to beat them and put an end to their effort of supplying Lilybaeum.

Ancient Map of Sicily

Navies :

The Roman fleet was consisted of 123 ships and was determined to destroy the Carthaginian naval power in the region while Carthaginian fleet consisted of 130 ships under the command of Adherbal.  

The chicken incident before Battle of Drepana

The Battle :

Roman fleet started their journey to Drepana in a moonless night to avoid detection. The moonless night was good for cover and surprise attack but it also had its flaws. They avoided the detection but it also hampered the formation of their fleet. So, when sun rose the Roman fleet was in complete disarray and Carthaginian scouts spotted their approach from distance. The element of surprise was totally wasted and Adherbal, the Carthaginian commander, saw that opportunity and took it. He quickly gathered all his ships and sailed out from the harbour to open sea. Another incident happened this time. As per roman custom, before battle they offered food to sacred chickens. If chickens ate the food then it was a good sign but if not then something terrible would happen. Unfortunately the chickens didn't eat the offered food this time and already demoralised and shaken soldiers were certain about their defeat. Pulcher threw the chickens from the ship and tried to convince them by saying "If they don't eat let them drink" but it wasn't enough to boost up the moral. Roman navy was good at close combat and they took that advantage in earlier two battles but in open sea Carthage had the upper hand because of their long experience in naval warfare. So, soon the Carthaginian fleet reached the open sea and formed the battle formation. Roman fleet was now trapped within the Sicilian coast on their back and advancing Carthaginian fleet on their front. Carthaginian right flank attacked the roman rear and which the disorganised and demoralised roman fleet couldn't withstand. It was a crushing defeat for Rome. The roman innovations were useless against the Carthaginian fleet in open sea because of their maneuverability and Carthage used it well in this battle.

The Battle of Drepana

Casualties :        

The casualties were recorded on Carthaginian side while Romans lost most of their fleet. 93 ships were captured or sunk in this battle and 8000 to 20000 men were killed. Pulcher somehow avoided capture and escaped. The remaining ships escaped the battle and returned to Rome. The naval blockade of Lilybaeum was also over with this battle.

Aftermath :

The roman navy lost its momentum and resources to challenge Carthaginian navy for the next seven years. Pulcher was sentenced to exile for the defeat which ended his political career also. Hamilcar Barca (Father of famous Hannibal Barca) was appointed general of the Sicilian front and destroyed the remaining roman fleet under Pullus. He successfully recaptured some cities which were captured by the Romans earlier. The Carthaginian navy got the opportunity and even raided the Italian coast unchallenged in 248 BC. At that point Carthage got the upper hand on Rome but some foolish decisions of Carthaginian senate gave the Romans the life line which they utilised on later years in this long war.