First Punic War: Battle of the Aegates Islands

March 10, 241 BC - The Roman fleet defeats the Carthaginians at the Battle of the Aegates Islands. In 242 BC, Rome constructed a new fleet with the goal of regaining naval supremacy and isolating the Carthaginian army of Hamilcar Barca on Sicily. To counter this, Carthage began expanding their fleet and preparing an expedition to relieve Barca. Sailing, the Roman fleet, under Gaius Lutatius Catulus, arrived off Sicily and laid siege to the port of Lilybaeum (Marsala). Departing Carthage, Hanno the Great moved north to break the siege. On March 10, the fleets spotted each other and moved to engage. In rough seas, the Romans quickly gained the upper hand over the laden Carthaginians, breaking their formation and sinking nearly half of their ships. With their fleet routed and battered, the Carthaginians sued for peace ending the First Punic War.