Battle of Ecnomus (256 BC) - Largest Naval Battle in History

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  • Опубліковано 11 вер 2016
  • The Battle of Ecnomus in 256 BC is arguably the largest naval battle in history with 680 warships and an estimated 290,000 rowers and marines participating!!! This monumental clash was fought during the First Punic War between Rome and Carthage along the coast of Sicily.
    Fleet Anatomy: • Warfare of Classical A...
    Fleet Operation: • Warfare of Classical A...
    Fleet Tactics: • Warfare of Classical A...
    More Classical Antiquity Documentaries: • Classical Antiquity (D...
    Literary Sources:
    "Uniforms of the Roman World" by Kevin Kiley
    "Republican Roman Warships" by Osprey Publishing
    "The Fall of Carthage" by Adrian Goldsworthy
    "Augustus" by Anthony Everitt
    Game Engine:
    Total War: Rome II
    Game Mods:
    Devide et Impera
    Realistic Ship Colors
    Ave_Gigas.pak
  • Ігри

КОМЕНТАРІ • 2,4 тис.

  • @GSXK4
    @GSXK4 5 років тому +832

    It's like playing bumper cars with a quarter million men trying to kill each other.

    • @Chrischi3TutorialLPs
      @Chrischi3TutorialLPs 4 роки тому +26

      r/brandnewsentence

    • @Chrischi3TutorialLPs
      @Chrischi3TutorialLPs 4 роки тому +4

      @@plnhoomanmurtel5527 :D

    • @alephite
      @alephite 3 роки тому +2

      More fun

    • @thedude4795
      @thedude4795 3 роки тому +4

      yeah, when you throw a 2x4 on to the others car, climb over to it and stab them with a sword! :D

    • @lukasr1166
      @lukasr1166 2 роки тому +1

      @@Chrischi3TutorialLPs r/cringeaf

  • @lenicanilao6454
    @lenicanilao6454 6 років тому +850

    Carthage: I have a navy
    Rome: We have a ramp

    • @CZProtton
      @CZProtton 4 роки тому +75

      They managed to overbuild the enemy even in naval combat. Its actualy funny how all of Rome was just their legions building shit so efficiently that it won them the battle. An enemy is there? Build a wall around him. Another enemy behind? Well, lets build a wall around the first wall and stay between. An enemy has a castle on a hill? Build a ram up that mountain. An enemy is a better sailor? Lets build a portable ramp to board their ships.

    • @keepthechange2811
      @keepthechange2811 4 роки тому +14

      @@CZProtton I've been trying to wrap my mind around how skilled and versatile Caesars legions were. Can modern infantry build bridges ramps walls forts on the fly? I dont think so. As isolated outnumbered units the Roman's could build their way out of disaster

    • @CZProtton
      @CZProtton 4 роки тому +18

      @@keepthechange2811 Ofcourse they can and they do. Modern armies build bridges in minutes and make heavily fortified positions all around their area of operations as bases of operations and strongpoints to fall back on.
      But we also have to realise that warfare changed a lot since the Roman times. For example, we have cars, aircraft and gunpowder. So building fortifications is still good, but only if you can hold and not get shot building it.
      But yes, they build. There is an entire part of every NATO army called Engineering corps that build stuff, maintain stuff, build and clear minefields, build bridges... but even the regular infantry can build fortified positions from sandbags and plywood. And they do, afganistan and Iraq is full of these little posts.

    • @GabrielHellborne
      @GabrielHellborne 4 роки тому +3

      Now I see Romans ramping chariots from their ships...

    • @sameerthakur720
      @sameerthakur720 3 роки тому +1

      Corvus.

  • @TheElMuffin
    @TheElMuffin 5 років тому +820

    "The colossal effort shown by the Romans proved their willingness to pour everything they had into the fight". That's Rome's military history in short, stubborn persistence in the face of
    overwhelming odds and disastrous defeats. Hannibal trashed them all around Rome and they just kept raising more legions to fight him.

    • @innosanto
      @innosanto 5 років тому +33

      TheElMuffin they had great sources of manpower

    • @innosanto
      @innosanto 5 років тому +33

      And also loyalty

    • @blafoon93
      @blafoon93 5 років тому +149

      Considering that against Hannibal the Romans lost about 30% of their male fighting age population in a single year, it is truly unbelievable that they came back from a defeat like this to then create the biggest empire the world had seen. It's extremely rare in history to see a nation with this amount of heavy losses come back and win a war, most wars are over by the time 10% of the standing army have fallen.

    • @innosanto
      @innosanto 5 років тому +34

      @@blafoon93 Rome after it defeated a city came into a partnership where the defeated city would give fighting manpower every year. So they had resources to replenish manpower.

    • @viveka2994
      @viveka2994 5 років тому +30

      @@innosanto unlike italians today *cough* switching sides *cough*

  • @cemgursoy7545
    @cemgursoy7545 4 роки тому +700

    I just realized that ancient warfare is A LOT MORE intriguing then medieval warfare.

    • @hazed_23
      @hazed_23 4 роки тому +204

      The empires and the states of the Classical Age were way more wealthier than the medieval kingdoms

    • @cemgursoy7545
      @cemgursoy7545 4 роки тому +214

      @@hazed_23 Antique societies were richer, more vibrant, more open and intriguing; antique battles were far more numerous and iconic. Classical antiquity is criminally underrated.

    • @hazed_23
      @hazed_23 4 роки тому +11

      @@cemgursoy7545 yes indeed

    • @michaelwiesinger3401
      @michaelwiesinger3401 3 роки тому +34

      The medieval european empires hardly ever fought for the eradication of whole peoples or dynasties among each other. That's why the rather intriguing stuff happened at the borders or with "heathens" like the Hungarians, the Mongols or the Ottomans.
      Also there was a bigger gap between the common warrior and the elite. A full armored & well trained norse knight at the prime of medieval warcraft easily counts as the pike of human 1 vs 1 close combat fighting* (with the next step of evolution being gunpowder weapons & close combat to never play the decisive role in battle again). On the other hand the common medieval peasant-warrior would have been beaten by any "simple" ancient persian spearman for sure. That's why the tactical value of one single knight was equal to around 80 peasants (which are actual history book numbers). So rather than a whole people being up for a fight like in ancient times, there was a small elite warrior caste which made warfare somehow boring (altough flashy at the same time, since every single defeat they suffered was a result of either attrition or long-range battles or a combination of both like Azincourt, Hattin or against the Mongols).
      * Maybe the Varangians could top that since their battle axes were armor-piercing & their skills impressed literally anybody who witnessed them. But they were a single unit of fighters rather than a type of fighters.
      The most elite ancient unit would be the Sacred Band of Thebes imho.

    • @genderbender6958
      @genderbender6958 3 роки тому +6

      @I'm not flat, stop asking but Indian and especially chinease history is highly debated and sometimes completely fabricated.

  • @rgm96x49
    @rgm96x49 7 років тому +939

    Cool stuff. I just love how the Romans' response to Carthaginian naval superiority is basically just going "fuck you guys, we're on land now".

    • @ilmevavi1112
      @ilmevavi1112 7 років тому +165

      "what do you mean your boat?" " it's ours now."

    • @citizenwayne9800
      @citizenwayne9800 7 років тому +173

      "look at me, im the captain now"

    • @cameroncall007
      @cameroncall007 7 років тому +143

      "All your boat are belong to us" -Rome

    • @themanwiththehamandtheplan9987
      @themanwiththehamandtheplan9987 7 років тому +156

      Carthaginian Strategy - Form up in a straight line with an angle on the flank, feign retreat in the middle as to lead them into a trap, our flanking fleet will rush down and engage with the Roman reserves. Then send our reserve fleet to smash their calvary transports and then...
      Roman Strategy - Charge!!!
      *Decisive Roman Victory*

    • @neurofiedyamato8763
      @neurofiedyamato8763 7 років тому +76

      Exactly what I was thinking. Romans only won due to their advancement in boarding technology. A single piece of technology completely wrecked the intricate Carthage plan. That is actually kind of hilarious.

  • @matte172
    @matte172 7 років тому +1941

    who in their right mind would downvote this. This is better than history channel in its prime.

    • @InvictaHistory
      @InvictaHistory  7 років тому +241

      wow, thats quite the compliment! Thanks

    • @stevieCOH2142
      @stevieCOH2142 7 років тому +53

      It really is

    • @matte172
      @matte172 7 років тому +45

      well i have to be fair. You have put out some cringy stuff like "most epic battle" or with other dumb buzz words like "brutal". That stuff is terrible, this is current video is the type of stuff that really sets you apart, and above others.

    • @Stratigoz
      @Stratigoz 7 років тому +21

      Probably someone who really read history books and don't take wikipedia seriously.

    • @josemorales9871
      @josemorales9871 7 років тому +7

      Matt E hater's that have shity youtube channel

  • @hashbrownz1999
    @hashbrownz1999 6 років тому +3675

    There was estimated to be 250,000,000 people alive when this battle took place. that means 0.116 percent of the world's population was engaged in this battle.
    there were 2.3 billion people alive during world war 2. The battle of leyte gulf had roughly 0.0086 percent of the world's population involved in the battle.
    Worded another way, for roughly every 850 human beings on the entire earth, 1 was fighting in the seas at the battle of Ecnomus. In the battle of Leyte Gulf, for every 11,500 human being on earth, 1 was fighting in the seas. Using this logic, the battle of Ecnomus was 13.5 times larger than the largest naval battle of the largest war in history by % of humans involved. Crazy, right?

    • @VRichardsn
      @VRichardsn 6 років тому +172

      Fascinating.

    • @Dispo030
      @Dispo030 6 років тому +35

      Probably Not A Chicken great point!

    • @cadenrolland5250
      @cadenrolland5250 6 років тому +326

      So for size comparison, if they fought a battle like this today it would consist of at least 8,786,357 people! It is a huge chunk of the world involved in one thing!

    • @johnwicksfoknpencil
      @johnwicksfoknpencil 6 років тому +15

      Probably Not A Chicken
      Well done

    • @limnmark
      @limnmark 6 років тому +70

      Do the same with the naval battle of Salamis. The earth's population was even smaller

  • @yoloswagtron6920
    @yoloswagtron6920 3 роки тому +284

    Romans: The Carthaginians had us in the first half, not gonna lie.

    • @civilisatopedia
      @civilisatopedia 3 роки тому +3

      👉 If you are interested in history & mysteries stories then my last video is for you ✨👌🤩🤩

    • @Atomic866
      @Atomic866 3 роки тому +7

      The USSR pulled off the greatest "they had us in the first half, not gonna lie"

    • @aguywhoexists599
      @aguywhoexists599 3 роки тому

      @Big E you u with u were roman with that wreath on ur head u vegetable

    • @joeytodd795
      @joeytodd795 3 роки тому

      The Emperor Protects.

  • @InvictaHistory
    @InvictaHistory  7 років тому +1221

    It has been a real pleasure to research and produce the documentary series on the Roman Navy. This video is a culmination of that exploration into the little covered world of ancient naval combat which I hope has been equally as enlightening and entertaining. It is also worth mentioning that the battle maps I created for this video individually shows the 680 vessels from both sides. Though this was painstaking to do, it was worth it to convey the insane scale of this encounter at sea.
    I'd also like to point out that I tried using new effects in this video. I will continue to try new styles and adapt my presentations in the future and greatly appreciate any and all feedback. Thank you all for your support and help thus far. Its a true joy to have an audience for this passion of mine : )

    • @NicNac723
      @NicNac723 7 років тому +17

      I have got to say, this video was an absolute pleasure to watch. It was both educational and entertaining!

    • @sunjasonjb2773
      @sunjasonjb2773 7 років тому +4

      Your documentary videos have come such a far way, and I absolutley love all of them! I loved the style and the fonts used in this video, too. Keep up the great work!

    • @thekillers1stfan
      @thekillers1stfan 7 років тому +4

      The effort showed. Great video

    • @slyrooster1241
      @slyrooster1241 7 років тому +2

      Bravo man well done!!

    • @debrak1155
      @debrak1155 7 років тому

      Really love your doc series, hope you keep up the great work.

  • @ThatAussieBloke1
    @ThatAussieBloke1 7 років тому +607

    One day I hope there will be an animus type machine where you can go back in time and watch these epic battles from a distance lol

    • @raymondbenjamins5884
      @raymondbenjamins5884 7 років тому +41

      That's one of my dreams as well. It would be so epic to be able to witness some battles myself...

    • @calametrocity
      @calametrocity 7 років тому +34

      Take a space ship with you. The Earth would be very far from the same space as where you went back in time.

    • @sovietcharity
      @sovietcharity 7 років тому +50

      No, you wouldnt.

    • @cybersasho
      @cybersasho 7 років тому

      lucid dreaming

    • @DylanJo123
      @DylanJo123 7 років тому +9

      pleep 5th
      lol tough talk, but we all know youd be a bitch

  • @abongile464
    @abongile464 Рік тому +11

    Oversimplified bought me here

  • @4TheWinQuinn
    @4TheWinQuinn 3 роки тому +24

    One thing I learned from studying ancient history is never give up. There has been so many times when seemingly everything is being lost and the odds are insurmountable, but they manage to pull off the most amazing victory’s or saves. It’s amazing.

  • @ashleychaplin5855
    @ashleychaplin5855 7 років тому +640

    all rome will be amazed at such a victory. THE DAY IS OURS

    • @MustafaShams
      @MustafaShams 7 років тому +59

      -voice crack: THE DAY IS OURS
      ahhh good times playing rome 1

    • @SithLord2066
      @SithLord2066 7 років тому +49

      And remember this above all. Our Roman gods are watching. Make sure they are NOT ashamed!

    • @zachzimmerman2996
      @zachzimmerman2996 7 років тому +58

      THIS IS A GLORIOUS VICTORY, WORTHY OF ROMAN ARMS!!

    • @Yokemeister
      @Yokemeister 7 років тому +39

      VICTORY! This settlement is ours!!

    • @BeingDS
      @BeingDS 7 років тому +31

      "THE DAeehY IS OWERS!!!

  • @sisyphus349
    @sisyphus349 7 років тому +1541

    Fun fact: the locals that upset the status quo were a group of mercenaries, who literally got bored and decided to assault the city of Messana.

    • @skepticmonkey6923
      @skepticmonkey6923 7 років тому +393

      bored mercenaries started a 25 year war...the more you know

    • @chuckn4851
      @chuckn4851 6 років тому +235

      They probably were pumped. War is payday for mercs, duh doy

    • @jimmychoo6341
      @jimmychoo6341 6 років тому +9

      Viking ships are not better than the romans. But can control whole of Mediterranean Sea.

    • @Wolfen443
      @Wolfen443 6 років тому +15

      The Vikings for a while ruled the North Atlantic.

    • @johnleber3369
      @johnleber3369 6 років тому +2

      Aris Theocharis

  • @FlorinSutu
    @FlorinSutu 6 років тому +473

    Strictly considering the naval engagements on sea, the First Punic War started and continued very bad for the Republic of Rome. This was the only time in history when Rome lost an entire fleet during a battle: to the last ship, to the last boat and to the last sailor, including the admiral.
    The Roman vessels were slow and clumsy, the Romans not having acquired yet the skills and finesse needed to build “world class” ships. All nations being limited to the muscle power of their oarsmen, the one that could create ships with better hydrodynamic form had them faster and more maneuverable. This was mastered by the Carthaginians, who “copied to perfection” and made bigger an invention of the ancient Greeks, the “quinquereme”, a very fast ship with 5 vertically overlapped rows of oars.
    However, in those days when everything was going from bad to worse for the Roman Navy, one day wild luck struck out of the blue. . . Out of the blue sea, more correctly.
    A Carthaginian ship got marooned on a sea shore controlled by Rome. Very soon the Romans discovered that rather than capturing just one single ship, they captured a blue print in motion . . .
    The genius of the Carthaginians applied also in the mass production of ships. Specialized big workshops from the capital built the more complicated components, then sent them all over their empire, to be completed with simple parts and assembled by the carpenters from the smaller ports under their control. Each wood board was coded on extremities with letters and numbers, for easy match and assembly. Like a Lego already marked for no-brainer building, or like the Ikea furniture, but 2300 years earlier.
    Because the planks were marked for matching, any low-skilled team of ship builders was able to assemble a “world class” ship. Any low-skilled team of ship builders. . . Including the Romans.
    Their craftsmen figured out the meaning of the letters and numbers present all over the interior of the ship, dismantled it, copied absolutely every part and assembled it again. The secret of Carthage’s “quinquereme” was broken.
    Rome jumped into a desperate frenzy of ship building. 220 ships were built in 45 days. They used fresh cut green wood, that would crack and make the ships unusable after 6 months, but that was all the time needed to turn the tide.
    What happened after that is actually the story of this video . . .

    • @dpeasehead
      @dpeasehead 4 роки тому +50

      The recovery of the single marooned Carthaginian warship reminds me of the single Zero carrier fighter lost in the Aleutians during WWII and retrieved nearly intact and studied by the Americans.

    • @zachfox5969
      @zachfox5969 4 роки тому +20

      The Roman ships were heavier, slower, and manned by greenhorns. The corvus did help even the odds in combat, however they also probably contributed to the poor performance of the Roman Navy in bad weather- rendering them "front heavy" and awkward.

    • @jackfrost1075
      @jackfrost1075 4 роки тому +9

      FlorinSutu thx a lot for the additional knowledge

    • @CZProtton
      @CZProtton 4 роки тому +22

      @@zachfox5969 Well, they knew they sucked at naval combat but capitilized on what they knew best, infantry. The Corvus is genious for them, they knew that if they can get their soldiers onto the enemy ship, they win the engagement AND get a new ship. Because ramming is hard, but having a bridge that can be swung all around so any ship that stops anywhere near your front can get instantly boarded.

    • @CZProtton
      @CZProtton 4 роки тому +2

      @@bjorntorlarsson How would that work? I cannot imagine what you are saying, could you describe it more? I cannot really fathom a device that would stop the corvus from being able to transfer troops.

  • @GoodNight0wl
    @GoodNight0wl 7 років тому +381

    4 years ago, you couldn't have used Rome 2 to film this lol. The boats would have sailed sideways.

    • @falcor200
      @falcor200 3 роки тому +5

      I wanna watch that battle lmfao 1400 ships drifting around haha

  • @johnwingfield7920
    @johnwingfield7920 7 років тому +35

    One of the best war channels in the world

  • @holyarchangelmichael
    @holyarchangelmichael 7 років тому +550

    The Battle of Ecnomus in 256 BC is one of the most interesting naval battles in history, in my opinion. It demonstrated that Roman ingenuity in creating the corvus was enough to mitigate and even completely undermine Carthage's superior naval strength. This battle was definitely a turning point in the First Punic War.
    Roman victory at Ecnomus meant that they could invade the Carthaginian home territory in North Africa. Although that invasion was ultimately a failure, as you said, the fact that Rome could invade North Africa and threaten Carthage itself meant that Carthage would have to reconsider fighting a war against Rome.
    This did not prevent the other Punic Wars from happening, of course. All I'm saying is that Ecnomus set the standard for how Rome would win wars against Carthage in the Second and Third Punic Wars. Rome won the Second Punic War by invading North Africa and forcing an engagement with Hannibal at Zama, one that did not favor Hannibal and one that he ultimately lost. The Third Punic War was won by Rome when Rome invaded North Africa and attacked the city of Carthage, destroying it and claiming permanent victory against their long-time rival.
    Sorry that I rambled on about history and didn't even address the video yet. I found the video a wonderful mix of informative and entertaining, with good animation, excellent commentary, and accurate information. This is a minor point, I suppose, but I love that you list your sources at the end of the video. It makes me feel like the content is being produced by a professional who understands how to properly cite sources.
    Well done. Thank you for doing such a great job with this battle.

    • @terrencesauve
      @terrencesauve 7 років тому +8

      Even if it would end here at the First Punic war, Rome got the island which was a great source of income and trade for Carthage. Not sure about the rest of this campaign and if they kept it. This probably meant that Rome could use it as a launching pad and continue to harass trade fleets in the Mediterranean if they wanted to invest in that.

    • @holyarchangelmichael
      @holyarchangelmichael 7 років тому +8

      Good point. Sicily was very important to Carthaginian trade and their economy in general. As far as I know, Sicily stayed in Roman hands after the Romans took it over completely in one of the Punic Wars.
      I know it wasn't the Third Punic War, but I can't recall whether or not Rome took complete control of Sicily in the First Punic War. It might not have happened until the Second.
      In either case, you are correct. Rome could have used Sicily as a base to harass trade fleets in the Mediterranean if they wanted. However, the Roman people were proud and I don't think they would have accepted raiding at sea as a viable course of action. I think Sicily was going to become their base of operations for further wars against Carthage no matter what.

    • @dbg399
      @dbg399 7 років тому +5

      The Corvus made the Roman ships unstable and was dropped from use during the war.

    • @holyarchangelmichael
      @holyarchangelmichael 7 років тому +8

      That is correct. Still, it evened the odds in earlier naval engagements. It certainly changed the course of the war despite its eventual abandonment.

    • @PMMagro
      @PMMagro 7 років тому +2

      I don't buy the miracle Corvus explanantion. If so good why was it soon ditched (and not copied by Carthege)?
      For me Rome being able to build and use such large fleets was the most impressive- a land power trasing and manning fleets on pair with a naval major power like Carthage.

  • @MrRedsjack
    @MrRedsjack 4 роки тому +70

    Forgot to mention that the Roman sailed with troops in full armor kit unlike the carthagenians this meant that the romans had a serious advantage with hand to hand combat/ boarding.
    Also that for the romans ending up in the water was a death sentence unlike their opponent.
    Also that if the romans boarded one ship they had +1 to their fleet and -1 to the enemy (the guys at the oars where mostly slaves so they would not fight back against a new boss)
    But any victory from the carthagenian side meant just -1 to the Roman fleet (as they sink the opponent not board it)
    So that's a big difference too.

  • @danieltorok4403
    @danieltorok4403 7 років тому +69

    I can imagine the Greeks at the time on the island of Sicily, like "what the f*ck is going on here?" XD

    • @piotrgrzelak2613
      @piotrgrzelak2613 3 роки тому +22

      If you lived off the coast you had a few days when you could probably get rich just collecting the metalwork from the beach

    • @enricomanno8434
      @enricomanno8434 2 роки тому

      For sure they said that in Greek language

    • @novaalkronthe1st910
      @novaalkronthe1st910 2 роки тому

      Syracuse: da hell?

    • @sumreensultana1860
      @sumreensultana1860 2 роки тому

      @@piotrgrzelak2613 Lol Naval battle
      Not involved
      Profit profit

  • @jmkbartsch
    @jmkbartsch 2 роки тому +8

    What I find most impressive about these battles in antiquity is not just the numbers in absolute terms, but what that meant in relation to world population. 290.000 people present at Ecnomus is already a lot. But when considering that there were only just below 150 Million people living on the planet at that point in history then it is an unfathomable high amount. That means an unbelievable 0.5 % of the entire worlds population was present at that battle. Image that!

  • @televisionblitz
    @televisionblitz 7 років тому +194

    Loving these ancient naval combat videos, I truly had no idea about the scale of ancient warder before this video! Keep up the good work!

    • @InvictaHistory
      @InvictaHistory  7 років тому +15

      It is truly mind blowing! The first time I started to learn about this battle I was stunned... its crazy to think that ancient civilizations were able to field more men than we had present in our largest naval battles

    • @televisionblitz
      @televisionblitz 7 років тому +3

      I can't even wrap my head around the logistics of it, how did they keep such a force well supplied with nutritious food without modern preservatives, or were they eating lots of salted meats and fish but then they would have needed to carry lots of fresh water on board, or were they fishing off the side of the boat? Do any of your sources discuss that in detail?

    • @InvictaHistory
      @InvictaHistory  7 років тому +5

      In my previous video on the operation of the fleets (ua-cam.com/video/397-i39mN4g/v-deo.html) I mention how naval voyages for warships only lasted a day or two due to supply limitations. They would typically come ashore every night and re-provision. This could mean foraging in the countryside, using a supply depot, or relying on food carried in a baggage train.

    • @televisionblitz
      @televisionblitz 7 років тому

      Thanks a lot for answering! That makes a lot of sense. based on your graphic the battle was fought near the border of Roman controlled and Punic controlled Scilly, but was one side better supplied than the other at the time of the battle?

    • @InvictaHistory
      @InvictaHistory  7 років тому +9

      Rome at this point had the full backing of Syracuse which supplied the Roman troops with much of what they needed to stay in the field. Carthage was also had several large operating bases on the western part of Sicily which served a similar function so it could be said that they were about evenly supplied. Maybe Roman had a slight advantage since it had been preparing for an invasion of north africa which would require extra stockpiling of materials

  • @1503nemanja
    @1503nemanja 6 років тому +144

    Just shows how awesome the Romans were when they had to build a fleet from scratch and then took on the naval power of their time and won!

    • @mysticonthehill
      @mysticonthehill 6 років тому +8

      it was the roman economy. Storms and the carthagians sunk more roman vessels. Theirs weren't as sea worthy but they just like soldiers could keep on producing them.

    • @viveka2994
      @viveka2994 5 років тому +5

      @ unless your the USSR its about pure manpower no food tho

    • @kv-2thekingofderp866
      @kv-2thekingofderp866 5 років тому +1

      @@viveka2994 USSR had some innovative ideas too. Katyusha rockets and angled tank armor, but yes, most of it was heavy manpower

    • @PersimmonHurmo
      @PersimmonHurmo 4 роки тому +7

      @@viveka2994 Stalin's labor camps and industry fueled by human blood churned out huge amount military hardware, they had most tanks in the world. So no, economy and manpower is what allowed them to win (also American and British brains)

    • @viveka2994
      @viveka2994 4 роки тому

      @@PersimmonHurmo yeah thats what i said

  • @TotalRookie_LV
    @TotalRookie_LV 6 років тому +25

    "Huh! They fell in our trap! Wait... Oh, shit!"
    Morale being - if you manage to get a lion in a trap you dug out, make sure you yourself are not still sitting in the same trap.

  • @KomradeCPU
    @KomradeCPU 7 років тому +112

    I love how they decided to nickname the rear line the "Triarii" *giggles*

    • @EnlightenedBro105
      @EnlightenedBro105 7 років тому +10

      I don't get it....

    • @kurf4122
      @kurf4122 7 років тому +63

      +Sausymayo It's a play on the Roman term "Getting to the Triarii". Meaning, "everyone else is fucked but I guess we still have these guys". Roman Legions during the early republic operated on a three class system. The front of the Legion was the Hastati, behind them was the Principes. At the very back was the rich and wealthy soldiers known as the Triarii. So essentially "Getting to the Triarii" meant that the enemy got through 2/3 of the Legion.

    • @TechnoMinarchistBall
      @TechnoMinarchistBall 7 років тому +15

      Triarii is essentially just "The last line of defense"

    • @fishinspace3107
      @fishinspace3107 7 років тому +4

      Sausymayo the romans had a formation consisting of three classes. In the very back of this formation we're the triarii who usually were veterans they kept just in case the battle turn to the shits

    • @EnlightenedBro105
      @EnlightenedBro105 7 років тому +12

      Sloths In Space But I don't understand how that's remotely funny?

  • @snakeguy8646
    @snakeguy8646 7 років тому +273

    I really found it ironic that Carthage, the huge naval power, was smashed by seemingly cavemen saying "We build boat!" then when they are smashed they are like "We build thing that lets us board!" then, when it comes to strategy Rome is all like "CHARGE!!!!" and is outmaneuvered, then they win because "We fight on land, your boat is land, we fight there."

    • @MrEldote
      @MrEldote 5 років тому +12

      Evidently, every chef has it's secrets, no need to write sun tzu's rules, right?

    • @ericjohnson7234
      @ericjohnson7234 5 років тому +3

      :( (shakes head disapprovingly)

    • @alexbox8967
      @alexbox8967 5 років тому +8

      On L and the romans have the best world’s strategys likes triples aciex formation, and during the empire for the fleet it’s the dame thing, but vs cartaghenians they don’t maked a naval battle before, is normal they urse the tattic, like creating(genial creation for the time)the thing to board enemys boats and they don’t sue any strategy :)
      (Sorry for my english but i ma italian :)

    • @alexbox8967
      @alexbox8967 5 років тому +1

      At the start i wanted to said“on the land” sorry

    • @PersimmonHurmo
      @PersimmonHurmo 4 роки тому +1

      @@ericjohnson7234 using :(... Shaking my head in disgust

  • @TheLuismaBeaTle
    @TheLuismaBeaTle 7 років тому +730

    Admiral Akbar would've seen it coming

  • @stevenwilson5556
    @stevenwilson5556 3 роки тому +2

    Absolutely the gold standard video on the Battle of Ecnomus! 1. Gave context to the event why it happened and how large it was compared to other large naval battles. 2. Incredible visual effort into animation to show the event, great explanation of the tactics of the battle. 3. Good follow up of the aftermath. All told absolute gold star effort.

  • @bawshafft4881
    @bawshafft4881 7 років тому +40

    Insanely good visual design choices. I really like it Oakly go on pls :) you and Heirof carhage are 100 percent my fave ytbers

  • @nehemz432
    @nehemz432 7 років тому +112

    So, what happened to the horses?
    Am I the only one that is curious about the abandoned transports?

    • @thehunter4873
      @thehunter4873 5 років тому +24

      Nehemz I'd assume they’d come back for them

    • @viveka2994
      @viveka2994 5 років тому +53

      @@thehunter4873 *thousands of years later* "mein führer, why are there horses on a transport?"

    • @SliceOfDog
      @SliceOfDog 4 роки тому +15

      Literally came down to the comments hoping to find an answer to this. As much as there was likely no consideration at all of animal welfare, I have to presume that they were too valuable a resource to be left at sea, so presumably most or all of them were collected after the victory.

    • @tommyblansett9254
      @tommyblansett9254 4 роки тому +7

      @@SliceOfDog The horses still on transports that were pulled to Carthage's shores where the Romans were defeated. So horses were either killed in battle, or captured by Carthaginians, or escaped to the wilderness, while some may have returned home.

    • @argenisjimenez8118
      @argenisjimenez8118 4 роки тому +2

      I would rather believe they were took back by the roman

  • @SaintAnimus
    @SaintAnimus 7 років тому +2

    These videos got my sub! Using TW to explain tactics and historical battles is such a phenomenal idea, I LOVE these!

  • @andytucker9573
    @andytucker9573 2 роки тому +1

    That was execellent thank you. I love the visualization of it all with the clips from games and the cool maps, battle comparison etc. We need more of this stuff for the antiquity/hellenistic/punic wars... such an amazing period of history to discover and explore
    Well done Invicta

  • @CountBaronGAMING
    @CountBaronGAMING 7 років тому +25

    Very informative. you deserve success for these polished videos

  • @RemusKingOfRome
    @RemusKingOfRome 7 років тому +79

    You should become a professional doco maker, this was superb !
    Just goes to prove that the greedy merchants who controlled Carthage should have spent more on Tech to give them the edge in naval battles.

    • @nea0496
      @nea0496 7 років тому

      he already is a professional

    • @nea0496
      @nea0496 7 років тому

      he already is a professional

    • @alexandraortez1141
      @alexandraortez1141 7 років тому

      He means as in it being his profession. Not him being 'pro' (good) at it.

    • @RemusKingOfRome
      @RemusKingOfRome 7 років тому +1

      Surely the Carthaginians could have used a few fire-ships ? or such?

    • @davidburroughs7068
      @davidburroughs7068 7 років тому +2

      Appian did record their use in the 3rd Punic War 149 BC, but as we research this let us keep in mind he wrote all that he wrote before his passing in 165, a couple of hundred years later.

  • @pigpig252
    @pigpig252 7 років тому

    One of the most professional and well researched historical videos I've ever seen. Nice

  • @zeebaa6
    @zeebaa6 6 років тому +1

    years later, this is still one of the best historical battles on youtube

  • @harryki6830
    @harryki6830 7 років тому +29

    these are amazing.....you need to get more recognition for this, but unfortunately many people have no interest in history these days

    • @InvictaHistory
      @InvictaHistory  7 років тому +8

      I've been wondering how best to get this content out to more people. Any suggestions?

    • @iNEEDmoney6238
      @iNEEDmoney6238 7 років тому

      +THFE Productions The only thing i get in mind is with cooporation with others

    • @jomcueto980
      @jomcueto980 7 років тому +1

      not sure about this but you could try to send this to history channel or any other docu tv shows. who knows?

  • @Wolfen443
    @Wolfen443 7 років тому +4

    Naval Battles on this scale are always impressive and terrifying.

  • @pagansquaddie
    @pagansquaddie 5 років тому +9

    Thanks to Rome total war 2, we can finally see and relive these massive battles. Seeingbggem on history channels and youtube channels alike. Excellent video sir.

  • @machinelearning6857
    @machinelearning6857 5 років тому

    Blown away by the effort that has gone into this, it made me immediately subscribe! Keep up the good work!

  • @hotinplaya
    @hotinplaya 7 років тому +74

    welp, off to play rome total war

  • @BlunderMunchkin
    @BlunderMunchkin 4 роки тому +19

    If your name, even if it's your middle name, is "Manlius," that's gonna define your entire life.

  • @uppitywhiteman6797
    @uppitywhiteman6797 6 років тому

    UA-cam at its best. Clear, concise and entertaining. I subbed. Thank you.

  • @ARS-77
    @ARS-77 4 роки тому

    This was one of the best examples of sea battle that I've ever seen. Superior work.

  • @abd-al-haqal-haqiqi6981
    @abd-al-haqal-haqiqi6981 7 років тому +24

    The 1st & 2nd Punic wars are the best wars of antiquity many battles alot of action cunning strategy many consipiracies politics many other states like syracuse the iberians the celts the numidians the greeks the macedonians the Illyrians were involved it's like an antiquity world war
    it's still make me wonder why there is no movie or serie about it
    it would be fucking epic as the scenarists can add some fictional mini stories to it that go hand to hand with the actual historical facts

    • @user-wx7rq1oi1c
      @user-wx7rq1oi1c 7 років тому +5

      Things people can't pronounce will never be a series.
      People hate historical facts because there's less explosions.
      Facts are racist anyway.

  • @Danneman92
    @Danneman92 5 років тому +3

    I watched this video the same day I'd taken ecstacy, a few days ago. One of the best things I've done in my entire life.
    Keep up the good work work bro.

    • @danial469
      @danial469 4 роки тому +1

      Lmap your fucked dude. I couldnt get wired after 22.

  • @mohamedm2518
    @mohamedm2518 6 років тому +1

    I appreciate the effort it took you to animate this. Well done.

  • @thedrake283
    @thedrake283 5 років тому +2

    What an epic, giant, amazing sea battle...that I had never heard of! Good grief! Stellar presentation!

  • @crackshack2
    @crackshack2 7 років тому +64

    That 4th Division along the shore saved it
    Should have sent punic ships to attack the roman 1st 2nd divisions in the rear

    • @quoniam426
      @quoniam426 5 років тому +3

      The echelon formation of the Roman fleet prevented Carthagenians to attack directly from the flanck because the ship behind the one attacked could counter board the attacker with the boarding bridge. So yeah, it would have restricted the Punics to attack from behind which seemed to be difficult of the Roman division reacts quickly enough.

    • @TripleEBA
      @TripleEBA 5 років тому +3

      @@quoniam426 But the 4th division was hindered by transport. They could not effectively threaten the back of the punic left flank. And if they do, they could have fall back and get them, but far from the shore this time. Division 1 and 2 would have a hard time to turn and help the 4th

    • @rocketassistedgoat1079
      @rocketassistedgoat1079 5 років тому +2

      My thoughts exactly. Instead of engaging the Roman 3rd division, the right Carthage flank, should have enveloped the first and second divisions completely, destroyed them, then did the same to the rest. Isn't that the point of capitalizing upon separated enemy formations; so you can overwhelm them one by one with superior numbers via double envelopment or hammer and anvil?

    • @Wildru736
      @Wildru736 4 роки тому

      @@rocketassistedgoat1079 the 3rd division would have cought the eveloping forces from behind.

  • @thesphyrth
    @thesphyrth 7 років тому +33

    This video led me to believe that Flanking was a typical Carthaginian strategy, rather than an innovation.

    • @mistermister2291
      @mistermister2291 5 років тому +13

      Flanking is the primary strategy in any battle of any nation.
      If you can get behind your enemy, you've practically won; they can't go forward, they can't go back, and if the go to the sides you can meet them. If they fight in front you hit them in the back, of they fight in the back, you hit them in the front.
      You're right that flanking was a typical strategy, just the ways in which it was gone about were generally innovative.

  • @jevjake777
    @jevjake777 6 років тому

    You're really good in doing historical videos man. I appreciate your work.

  • @theeyehead3437
    @theeyehead3437 6 років тому

    Thank you so much for this video! I'm writing a research paper on the impact of the corvus on the battle of Ecnomus and this was a really great summary of the battle that helps me visualize the writings of Polybius.

  • @frozen1762
    @frozen1762 4 роки тому +45

    Carthaginian left flank mistake was that, when they were behind the lines instead of going after horse transport ships at shore they should have attacked consular fleets from behind. That would give then full victory.

    • @scottabc72
      @scottabc72 4 роки тому +19

      But the Cartheginians didnt go after the transports, they went after the Roman rear guard and if they hadnt tried to do that, the Roman rear guard would have attacked them from behind.

    • @kraanz
      @kraanz 3 роки тому +2

      Armchair admiral.

  • @TheVincentVanGogh
    @TheVincentVanGogh Рік тому +3

    I remember reading about 3 entire Roman Fleet with almost 100,000 men got wiped out because of a massive storm and they just kept raising fleet after fleet after fleet.

  • @TheDude1980
    @TheDude1980 5 років тому

    Wow, just found this channel! So glad I did, great content!

  • @Bistourki
    @Bistourki 5 років тому +1

    AMAZING content, thank you

  • @phurbasherpa7441
    @phurbasherpa7441 7 років тому +4

    dayum. since my childhood i had been interested in wars, tactics and strategies. perfect channel for me. thanks for the videoss mate. 👍👍

    • @InvictaHistory
      @InvictaHistory  7 років тому +1

      Well glad you found your way here. I currently balance both total war gameplay and documentaries but am in the process of transitioning into more of the latter. I've got a lot of exciting content in development so stay tuned : )

    • @lawrencemorris2261
      @lawrencemorris2261 3 роки тому

      Me too! Now I wish there were more of these kinds of visualizations with modern warfare..

  • @vladcool1416
    @vladcool1416 7 років тому +13

    Dam this is awesome I can't wait for more stuff.

    • @InvictaHistory
      @InvictaHistory  7 років тому +9

      would you say it was cool, Vlad?

    • @vladcool1416
      @vladcool1416 7 років тому +4

      THFE Productions It's awesome, and thank you for replying.

    • @4rnnr_as
      @4rnnr_as 7 років тому

      haha, I see what you did there THFE

  • @RicardosH99
    @RicardosH99 Рік тому

    This video is just the best one out there for this battle. Thanks

  • @biowerks
    @biowerks 6 років тому

    So glad that I subbed. Great work!

  • @jackfrost1075
    @jackfrost1075 4 роки тому +3

    This is so interesting to combine TW Rome 2 with actual detailed historical battles, so much more meaningful than watching purely gameplay battles

  • @TheWolfmanMachinima
    @TheWolfmanMachinima 7 років тому +7

    Epic! Man, you are a creative production-machine.

    • @InvictaHistory
      @InvictaHistory  7 років тому +5

      thanks! I really like the new after effects elements I added but it does take way longer

    • @TheWolfmanMachinima
      @TheWolfmanMachinima 7 років тому +1

      yeah. but it´s worth it. Your videos become more entertaining and profound every upload. Looking forward to the next one. Cheers!

  • @ivanstrydom8417
    @ivanstrydom8417 4 роки тому

    This is simply immaculate content. I thrive on devouring such knowledge . I thank you for your sublime work and respectfully demand more.

  • @zechymahler
    @zechymahler 7 років тому

    Your videos are incredible. Thank you very much for making them :-)

  • @idlepotato9077
    @idlepotato9077 4 роки тому +27

    Ah, the ancient version of bumper cars

  • @nsierra2297
    @nsierra2297 7 років тому +4

    congrats great video!

  • @George-bz1fi
    @George-bz1fi 5 років тому +1

    Excellent video, well done, thanks.

  • @Neoboethius
    @Neoboethius 5 років тому +1

    Excellent presentation. Thanks.

  • @freeshot7236
    @freeshot7236 7 років тому +3

    A different massive battle! Nice!

  • @mixits7118
    @mixits7118 6 років тому +19

    Kinda feel bad for the Carthaginian navy tho. They were so close on winning

  • @nikolagenchev7161
    @nikolagenchev7161 5 років тому

    Thanks for sharing your videos!

  • @NR-rv8rz
    @NR-rv8rz 7 років тому

    Excellent video. Thanks.
    I was unaware of this battle.

  • @carlosdelsol76
    @carlosdelsol76 5 років тому +7

    Your channel remembers me of the history channel from the early 2000s. Just pure fascination for history and it's secrets

  • @kristis61
    @kristis61 4 роки тому +61

    You totally avoid to mention the importance of sea warfare knowledge the Sicilian Greeks shared with Romans!! No state could amass a fleet and coordinate it so soon and successfully without help from experience sailors

    • @alexhage8092
      @alexhage8092 3 роки тому +5

      They both took their ship building from the Pheonicians

    • @piotrgrzelak2613
      @piotrgrzelak2613 3 роки тому +4

      @@alexhage8092 and made it better

    • @jadaoun03
      @jadaoun03 2 роки тому

      @@piotrgrzelak2613 greek ships were bulkier but slower than the phoenician ones, better for warfare but not for sailing

    • @user-cg2tw8pw7j
      @user-cg2tw8pw7j Рік тому

      @@jadaoun03 The Phoenician ships defeated the Greek ships in the wars, and this is a shame

    • @Aemilius46
      @Aemilius46 6 місяців тому

      😂😂😂😂

  • @themaninblack9377
    @themaninblack9377 5 років тому

    I really loved your video. Please make more naval battle videos like these.

  • @lukeskywalker3329
    @lukeskywalker3329 Рік тому

    Bravo . !
    A very comprehensive documentary .
    I am saving it to watch again .

  • @etwnewcommunity9370
    @etwnewcommunity9370 7 років тому +65

    you know its too bad Rome II doesn't have Corvus ships...or even the Deceres

  • @OriginalThisAndThat
    @OriginalThisAndThat 7 років тому +6

    Amazing how they could coordinate such a precise tactics on the sea with that large numbers

    • @CZProtton
      @CZProtton 4 роки тому +1

      @mryupjup They probably just shouted, played trumpets and waved flags around and hoped the commander of the ship would be smart enough to think "hey, that dude is doing a lot of noise, maybe he wants me to follow!". That is about all you need.

  • @mocarpublishing
    @mocarpublishing 6 років тому

    Very well done. The depiction of this battle is wonderful, and entertaining! Perhaps add some trivia about Regulus
    and make it even better!

  • @frenstcht
    @frenstcht 6 років тому

    Great video. Thanks for putting the effort, it payed off. Liked & subscribed.

  • @Atlashon
    @Atlashon 7 років тому +11

    The best historic educational channel there is. By far. I unfollowed History Channel because they cannot compare to you. At least, not presently.

  • @bruh8029
    @bruh8029 4 роки тому +66

    This vid:*Largest naval battle in history*
    Mr Beast: interesting

    • @tyrian_baal
      @tyrian_baal 4 роки тому +4

      Bruh Why is everyone mentioning Mr beast??

    • @bruh8029
      @bruh8029 4 роки тому +2

      @@tyrian_baal he put this vid up on his yt story

    • @VentiVonOsterreich
      @VentiVonOsterreich 4 роки тому

      @@bruh8029 which video

    • @bruh8029
      @bruh8029 4 роки тому

      @@VentiVonOsterreich HE FILMED A VIDEO ON HIS PHONE AND UPLOADED IT ON UA-cam STORIES AND AFTER 24H IT DISAPPEARED

    • @VentiVonOsterreich
      @VentiVonOsterreich 4 роки тому

      @@bruh8029 has someone reuploaded it

  • @andreaskallstrom9031
    @andreaskallstrom9031 7 років тому

    First video I've seen on this channel. Love it! 👍👍 Also, I love that you link sources for us super-nerds! 😄

  • @pierredecine4386
    @pierredecine4386 6 років тому

    Extremely well made and narrated - KUDO !! Posting to my Twitter.

  • @joshuaflowe1069
    @joshuaflowe1069 5 років тому +59

    I'm going to mention that hamlicar is Hannibal's father

    • @bobbyfeet2240
      @bobbyfeet2240 5 років тому +2

      Beat me to it. Yep, there's a reason Hannibal would be super ready to try this same strategy. (Or, for that matter, his brother Hasdrubal in Spain. Notably, this application was also unsuccessful, which raises questions about whether Hannibal maybe got a little lucky at Cannae.)

    • @ultimaIXultima
      @ultimaIXultima 4 роки тому +2

      I thought the same thing! Was surprised he didn't mention that.

    • @tommyblansett9254
      @tommyblansett9254 4 роки тому +4

      @@bobbyfeet2240 The different in a good commander and a great commander is the ability to execute a successful strategy. Hamilcar strategy worked but, as mentioned earlier the (not Hamilcar's nor Hanna's, I think) decision to destroy an easy enemy rather than support the rest of the Carthaginian fleet proved disastrous. On the other the fact that Roman soldiers in command of ships were able to turn the tables was impressive. If Regulus had done the same thing on land near Carthage may have meant Carthage would be treated like Syracuse instead creating the great desire for revenge that would cause Rome to demolish the city and sow the fields with salt and the end of the 3rd Punic War.

  • @byzantinetales
    @byzantinetales 4 роки тому +14

    That was the great secret of the Romans. Apart from their great discipline, they were able to adapt to the needs of any circumastance!

  • @daya820
    @daya820 5 років тому +1

    I love history, I am really enjoying the video. Thank you

  • @stinker0007
    @stinker0007 6 років тому

    Really really good video man, keep it up!

  • @teriyakichicken1848
    @teriyakichicken1848 7 років тому +107

    It must suck to be at the tip of the triangle lol

    • @InvictaHistory
      @InvictaHistory  7 років тому +63

      luckily they got to use the heavily reinforced flagships

    • @kedronmallia939
      @kedronmallia939 7 років тому +5

      They draw sticks to see who gets positioned further towards the front. The bigger the sticks, the more fucked you are (no pun intended). You are fucked anyways.

    • @terrencesauve
      @terrencesauve 7 років тому +9

      I would tend to disagree here! Pride, honour and courage was your "pension plan" as a Principes back home. No straws here, perhaps it was based on which leading family or deity sponsored the ship and paid for the marines.
      Awesome videos, as always. Keep them coming, we'll be waiting for your next series this Christmas! And best of luck this semester.

    • @kedronmallia939
      @kedronmallia939 7 років тому

      +Terrence Sauve mine was a joke btw xD

    • @terricampbell3179
      @terricampbell3179 5 років тому

      Kedron Mallia hehehe

  • @arcadiusdrathalas6007
    @arcadiusdrathalas6007 7 років тому +5

    Why do I not know more of this battle? I have read so much roman history but have only heard passing mentions of this battle.

  • @jameskelman9856
    @jameskelman9856 6 років тому

    Awesome video! Thanks!

  • @historiaman8165
    @historiaman8165 5 років тому

    Now I have to play again Rome II.
    Thank you for the video

  • @kasinokaiser1319
    @kasinokaiser1319 6 років тому +10

    The First Punic War doesn't get nearly as much attention as the second one

    • @markcannon8522
      @markcannon8522 2 роки тому +1

      Why might that be? Weird how everyone know about all the major roman defeats but no one knows about the massive roman victories that avenged those defeats.

  • @marduk1734
    @marduk1734 5 років тому +11

    when the Carthaginians were about the destroy the horse transports, they heard behind their backs:
    OH HAIL THE MIGHTY, HE'S ARISING FROM THE DEEP!
    WITH TATTERED SAILS
    AND INCREDIBLE TAILS
    WE CAUGHT IN THE ENDLESS SEAS (we purge the Carthage fleet)!

  • @icemysta30
    @icemysta30 4 роки тому

    thank you Invicta, very cool!

  • @KeenEyeFPV
    @KeenEyeFPV 5 років тому

    First heard about this in Dan Carlins Punic Wars Podcast and its great to have a complete visualization. What an absolute mind blow this battle was...

  • @Chaudawg
    @Chaudawg 5 років тому +4

    i clicked on this thinking it was a video game and i got slapped with knowledge.

  • @sydecycade6983
    @sydecycade6983 5 років тому +19

    13:36
    "Begun, the clone wars has"

    • @civilisatopedia
      @civilisatopedia 3 роки тому

      👉 If you are interested in history & mysteries stories then my last video is for you ✨👌🤩🤩

  • @washubrain
    @washubrain 4 роки тому

    Great quality video, thanks

  • @DesertAres
    @DesertAres 5 років тому

    Thanks for a great documentary about this little know but gigantic sea battle. The music was a little loud in some places but overall
    The description and the animation are excellent. And thanks for pronouncing ‘Cannae’ correctly.