1 00:00:00,210 --> 00:00:03,390 - [OverSimplified] This video was made possible by NordVPN. 2 00:00:03,390 --> 00:00:05,790 Click the link below and get an exclusive deal 3 00:00:05,790 --> 00:00:09,750 with a huge discount and a 30 day money-back guarantee. 4 00:00:09,750 --> 00:00:14,750 Introducing our new, glorious, breathtaking Bucket Plushy. 5 00:00:16,289 --> 00:00:18,689 Limited quantity, available now, 6 00:00:18,690 --> 00:00:20,850 along with some Punic War character pins. 7 00:00:20,850 --> 00:00:21,682 - [Character] Oh, wow! 8 00:00:21,682 --> 00:00:23,789 - [OverSimplified] Buy them, or I'll marry your mother. 9 00:00:23,789 --> 00:00:25,172 It's your choice. 10 00:00:27,545 --> 00:00:31,590 - [Dad] Oh, Marcelus! You sure have a lot of dignitas! 11 00:00:31,589 --> 00:00:32,640 Kiss me! 12 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:33,560 Okay. 13 00:00:33,560 --> 00:00:35,910 (imitates kissing) 14 00:00:35,909 --> 00:00:36,742 - [Timulus] Hey dad? 15 00:00:36,743 --> 00:00:37,830 - [Dad] Hi son, just reading the newspaper. 16 00:00:37,829 --> 00:00:38,662 What can I do for you? 17 00:00:38,662 --> 00:00:40,500 - [Timulus] Well, you know how you always say Rome 18 00:00:40,500 --> 00:00:42,750 is the greatest civilization in the world? 19 00:00:42,750 --> 00:00:44,340 - [Dad] It bloody well is! 20 00:00:44,340 --> 00:00:45,720 - [Timulus] Well, I was just wondering, 21 00:00:45,719 --> 00:00:47,250 what makes us so great? 22 00:00:47,250 --> 00:00:49,057 How did we come to be? 23 00:00:49,057 --> 00:00:52,079 - [Dad] Wow. My son! 24 00:00:52,079 --> 00:00:56,162 Boy, let me take you on a journey to this side of the room. 25 00:00:57,450 --> 00:01:02,130 The story of Rome begins with these beautiful baby boys 26 00:01:02,130 --> 00:01:04,230 going to town on some she-wolf mommy milkers. 27 00:01:04,230 --> 00:01:05,063 - [Timulus] That's gross. 28 00:01:05,063 --> 00:01:06,180 - [Dad] You're gross! 29 00:01:06,180 --> 00:01:07,260 Sorry, son. 30 00:01:07,260 --> 00:01:09,990 You're not gross. I love you. 31 00:01:09,989 --> 00:01:13,170 They're called Romulus and Remus and when they grew up, 32 00:01:13,170 --> 00:01:17,250 in 753 BC, they founded Rome 33 00:01:17,250 --> 00:01:19,200 But there was just one problem. 34 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:21,840 They couldn't agree on which of them should be the king. 35 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:24,420 - [Timulus] But they worked it out peacefully, right? 36 00:01:24,420 --> 00:01:25,560 - [Dad] Oh, heavens no! 37 00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:27,930 Romulus caved Remus's skull in with a shovel. 38 00:01:27,930 --> 00:01:28,763 Here's a picture. 39 00:01:28,763 --> 00:01:31,020 - [Timulus] Our first king committed fratricide? 40 00:01:31,019 --> 00:01:33,420 - [Dad] I know, look at his face! 41 00:01:33,420 --> 00:01:34,469 - [Timulus] When's the part where we become 42 00:01:34,469 --> 00:01:36,359 the greatest civilization, Dad? 43 00:01:36,359 --> 00:01:39,179 - [Dad] Well, you see, at first Rome was full of men. 44 00:01:39,180 --> 00:01:40,013 - Oh yeah! - I'm talking 45 00:01:40,013 --> 00:01:41,370 like a real sausage party. 46 00:01:41,370 --> 00:01:42,203 You know what I mean? 47 00:01:42,203 --> 00:01:43,036 - [Timulus] Yes, sir. 48 00:01:43,036 --> 00:01:43,868 - [Dad] So we invited some neighboring cities over 49 00:01:43,868 --> 00:01:47,700 for a big feast and then we literally kidnapped all 50 00:01:47,700 --> 00:01:48,659 of their women. 51 00:01:48,659 --> 00:01:49,872 Here's a picture. 52 00:01:49,873 --> 00:01:54,093 (laughs) Look at that one. She's like, bah! 53 00:01:54,093 --> 00:01:55,920 (Dad laughs) - This is messed up. 54 00:01:55,920 --> 00:01:56,753 - [Dad] You're messed up! 55 00:01:56,753 --> 00:02:00,510 Ugh, sorry, sorry. I'll be a better father. 56 00:02:00,510 --> 00:02:01,350 I promise. 57 00:02:01,349 --> 00:02:04,289 So then, finally, after centuries of monarchy, 58 00:02:04,290 --> 00:02:07,050 those tyrannical kings started getting a little too big 59 00:02:07,049 --> 00:02:09,479 for their britches, so we overthrew the kings 60 00:02:09,479 --> 00:02:11,759 and established Rome as a republic. 61 00:02:11,759 --> 00:02:13,560 - [Timulus] Is that when all the killing stopped? 62 00:02:13,560 --> 00:02:14,393 - [Dad] Oh, heavens no! 63 00:02:14,393 --> 00:02:16,620 That's when the killing surged, baby! 64 00:02:16,620 --> 00:02:19,277 We went wild and conquered the Latin League, 65 00:02:19,277 --> 00:02:21,299 the Samnites, the Etruscans! 66 00:02:21,300 --> 00:02:22,740 Woo, what a rush! 67 00:02:22,740 --> 00:02:25,140 - [Timulus] Dad, Rome seems pretty barbaric. 68 00:02:25,139 --> 00:02:26,429 - [Dad] You're barbaric! 69 00:02:26,430 --> 00:02:28,560 Oh, I forgot to tell you about the time a prophet 70 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:30,569 told Saturn his son would one day overthrow him. 71 00:02:30,569 --> 00:02:34,109 So Saturn literally ate his own son, 72 00:02:34,110 --> 00:02:36,445 seconds after he was born. 73 00:02:36,444 --> 00:02:37,799 - [Timulus] I don't wanna see a picture. 74 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:38,657 - [Dad] Here's a picture. 75 00:02:38,657 --> 00:02:40,710 - [Timulus] Dad! Look at that! 76 00:02:40,710 --> 00:02:41,543 - [Dad] Hmm? 77 00:02:41,543 --> 00:02:42,450 - [Timulus] That's messed up, man. 78 00:02:42,449 --> 00:02:43,592 Are we really this uncivilized? 79 00:02:43,592 --> 00:02:46,500 - [Dad] Hey, hey, if we were so uncivilized, 80 00:02:46,500 --> 00:02:48,360 would we use communal toilets where we all fart 81 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:50,040 and poo together in one big stinky, steamy, 82 00:02:50,039 --> 00:02:51,209 dirty toilet room? 83 00:02:51,210 --> 00:02:53,520 - [Timulus] Yeah, dad, we would! 84 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:55,620 - [Dad] Clean your butt with the sponge, Timulus! 85 00:02:55,620 --> 00:02:57,509 - [Timulus] But all these guys just used it. 86 00:02:57,509 --> 00:02:58,769 - [Roman] What's wrong with your son, bro? 87 00:02:58,770 --> 00:03:01,200 - [Timulus] I don't wanna be Roman. This is so weird. 88 00:03:01,199 --> 00:03:02,191 - [Dad] You're weird! 89 00:03:02,191 --> 00:03:06,847 Sorry, you're not weird. I'm sure you're probably fine. 90 00:03:06,847 --> 00:03:08,621 Huh? 91 00:03:08,621 --> 00:03:11,454 (Timulus screams) 92 00:03:16,530 --> 00:03:18,840 - [OverSimplified] The Roman Republic, the nation that, 93 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:21,150 since its foundation, had been stabbing necks 94 00:03:21,150 --> 00:03:23,189 all the way down the Italian peninsula. 95 00:03:23,189 --> 00:03:25,289 But this isn't the famous Roman Empire 96 00:03:25,289 --> 00:03:26,819 that ruled the known world. 97 00:03:26,819 --> 00:03:27,959 Not yet, anyway. 98 00:03:27,960 --> 00:03:30,007 This is a relatively juvenile Rome, 99 00:03:30,007 --> 00:03:31,634 (Rome passes gas) still just a regional power. 100 00:03:31,633 --> 00:03:36,569 In 264 BC, the big daddy of the Western Mediterranean 101 00:03:36,569 --> 00:03:37,919 was Carthage. 102 00:03:37,919 --> 00:03:39,689 Let's rewind a bit. 103 00:03:39,689 --> 00:03:43,500 Carthage was founded in 814 BC when some Phoenicians in Tyre 104 00:03:43,500 --> 00:03:47,099 had mega surplus of goods and decided to export those goods 105 00:03:47,099 --> 00:03:48,659 across the Mediterranean. 106 00:03:48,659 --> 00:03:51,329 They became the dominant trading power in the region 107 00:03:51,330 --> 00:03:53,490 and to support their growing trade network, 108 00:03:53,490 --> 00:03:56,310 the Phoenicians established a number of colonies, 109 00:03:56,310 --> 00:03:58,710 one of which was Carthage. 110 00:03:58,710 --> 00:04:00,659 Therefore, Carthage began its life 111 00:04:00,659 --> 00:04:02,250 as a Phoenician trade colony 112 00:04:02,250 --> 00:04:05,250 and the Carthaginians were actually Phoenicians, 113 00:04:05,250 --> 00:04:09,210 or, if you're a Latin speaking Roman, they were Punic, 114 00:04:09,210 --> 00:04:10,644 hence the name of the video. 115 00:04:10,644 --> 00:04:12,330 - Oh! - Over the centuries, 116 00:04:12,330 --> 00:04:13,980 Carthage gradually expanded 117 00:04:13,979 --> 00:04:15,989 and became the region's base of power. 118 00:04:15,990 --> 00:04:18,930 Just like Rome, Carthage was a semi-democratic Republic 119 00:04:18,930 --> 00:04:21,120 with its own Senate and Judiciary. 120 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:23,189 But there were also some pretty hefty differences 121 00:04:23,189 --> 00:04:24,240 between the two. 122 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:26,639 While Rome was big into farming and stabbing people 123 00:04:26,639 --> 00:04:29,310 in the neck, the Carthaginians, on the other hand, 124 00:04:29,310 --> 00:04:31,350 just like their Phoenician forefathers, 125 00:04:31,350 --> 00:04:33,360 had built their power through trade 126 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:35,100 and navigating the waves. 127 00:04:35,100 --> 00:04:38,400 They went here and there, selling ivory tusks, 128 00:04:38,399 --> 00:04:40,229 gold, and slaves. 129 00:04:40,230 --> 00:04:41,460 And as a result, (Carthaginians cheer) 130 00:04:41,459 --> 00:04:44,009 they were rolling in it. 131 00:04:44,009 --> 00:04:45,870 Whenever they weren't busy swimming around 132 00:04:45,870 --> 00:04:48,540 in their copious hoards of money, in their spare time, 133 00:04:48,540 --> 00:04:51,120 they also possibly enjoyed sacrificing their children 134 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:54,840 to Ba'al, the God of, let me just check my notes, 135 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:57,629 ah, yes, plant fertility. 136 00:04:57,629 --> 00:04:59,504 - [Farmer] Oh boy, these figs aren't looking too hot. 137 00:04:59,504 --> 00:05:02,699 Maybe if I throw my son into a burning pit of fire, 138 00:05:02,699 --> 00:05:03,533 they'll grow. 139 00:05:03,533 --> 00:05:05,699 - [Son] Have you tried watering them, Dad? 140 00:05:05,699 --> 00:05:06,533 - [Farmer] Hmm. 141 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:08,910 No, we'll try that second. 142 00:05:08,910 --> 00:05:10,320 - [OverSimplified] As a result of all their trading, 143 00:05:10,319 --> 00:05:11,639 Carthage had emerged as one 144 00:05:11,639 --> 00:05:13,596 of the Mediterranean superpowers. 145 00:05:13,596 --> 00:05:15,036 "But wait," they said. 146 00:05:15,036 --> 00:05:17,639 "Rome? What the heck is that?" 147 00:05:17,639 --> 00:05:20,069 Well, I know it's a pretty obscure little country 148 00:05:20,069 --> 00:05:22,079 that you've probably never heard of, 149 00:05:22,079 --> 00:05:24,240 but this spunky young nation was about 150 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:27,060 to upset the entire region's balance of power. 151 00:05:27,060 --> 00:05:28,829 Initially, the two sites enjoyed 152 00:05:28,829 --> 00:05:30,689 relatively friendly relations 153 00:05:30,689 --> 00:05:32,730 and it even signed a couple treaties. 154 00:05:32,730 --> 00:05:35,939 But it was a relationship that was practically destined 155 00:05:35,939 --> 00:05:37,290 to turn sour. 156 00:05:37,290 --> 00:05:39,450 See, Rome had a thing where they liked 157 00:05:39,449 --> 00:05:41,699 to aggressively expand their boundaries, 158 00:05:41,699 --> 00:05:44,939 often viewing such expansion as a defensive act. 159 00:05:44,939 --> 00:05:46,800 Kind of like when you could kill your neighbor 160 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:48,870 because you knew eventually they would've tried 161 00:05:48,870 --> 00:05:50,370 to kill you first. 162 00:05:50,370 --> 00:05:52,980 Meanwhile, Carthage was extremely protective 163 00:05:52,980 --> 00:05:54,840 of its wealthy trade network. 164 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:57,599 So if you put a very strategically important island 165 00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:01,920 between them, well, two plus two equals war. 166 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:05,129 Tensions rose and the two sides began viewing each other 167 00:06:05,129 --> 00:06:07,139 with increasing disdain. 168 00:06:07,139 --> 00:06:09,389 The hardworking Romans looked across the water 169 00:06:09,389 --> 00:06:11,346 at the money-hungry Carthaginians and said, 170 00:06:11,346 --> 00:06:13,319 "Look at those dishonest crooks. 171 00:06:13,319 --> 00:06:16,230 Bet they've never done an honest day's work in their lives!" 172 00:06:16,230 --> 00:06:18,037 And the Carthaginians looked back and said, 173 00:06:18,036 --> 00:06:20,310 "Look at those simple-minded brutes. 174 00:06:20,310 --> 00:06:22,776 Bet they've never sacrificed a baby in their lives!" 175 00:06:22,776 --> 00:06:24,180 "Yeah!" 176 00:06:24,180 --> 00:06:27,150 While war between the two superpowers seemed inevitable, 177 00:06:27,149 --> 00:06:30,719 the event that finally triggered it was a little unexpected. 178 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:33,960 The whole thing began with a few simple mad lads 179 00:06:33,959 --> 00:06:35,939 on a wild night out. 180 00:06:35,939 --> 00:06:38,550 These mad lads are called the Mamertines. 181 00:06:38,550 --> 00:06:40,319 They were Italian mercenaries employed 182 00:06:40,319 --> 00:06:42,659 by the tyrant of Syracuse, here. 183 00:06:42,660 --> 00:06:45,007 But when he died, his successor said, 184 00:06:45,007 --> 00:06:47,310 "Sorry, fellas, we don't need any big burly men 185 00:06:47,310 --> 00:06:48,600 with sharp sticks anymore. 186 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:49,650 You can all go home." 187 00:06:49,649 --> 00:06:51,239 - [Mamertines] Aw. 188 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:53,040 - [OverSimplified] The Mamertines, as it turned out, 189 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:54,030 didn't want to go home. 190 00:06:54,029 --> 00:06:56,939 So instead, they went to the nearby town of Messana 191 00:06:56,939 --> 00:07:00,329 and said, "Hey man, we are but poor little buff boys 192 00:07:00,329 --> 00:07:01,319 without a home. 193 00:07:01,319 --> 00:07:02,279 May we come in?" 194 00:07:02,279 --> 00:07:05,214 - [Guard] Aw, poor fellas. Sure thing! 195 00:07:05,214 --> 00:07:08,129 Ah, ah, just so long as you promise 196 00:07:08,129 --> 00:07:09,728 not to massacre all of us. 197 00:07:09,728 --> 00:07:12,963 - [Mamertines] (laugh) We promise! 198 00:07:14,009 --> 00:07:14,843 - [OverSimplified] The Mamertines 199 00:07:14,843 --> 00:07:15,870 then massacred all of them. 200 00:07:15,870 --> 00:07:18,209 Well, not all of them, just the men. 201 00:07:18,209 --> 00:07:20,699 And they stole their homes and families. 202 00:07:20,699 --> 00:07:23,099 - [Mamertine] Ha, this is my house now! 203 00:07:23,100 --> 00:07:25,110 This is my Best Dad Ever mug now! 204 00:07:25,110 --> 00:07:27,720 And you guys are my new family! 205 00:07:27,720 --> 00:07:31,020 Son, wanna go play catch with your old papa? 206 00:07:31,019 --> 00:07:32,250 - [Son] You're not my real dad! 207 00:07:32,250 --> 00:07:35,430 - [Mamertine] Ugh, teenagers, am I right, dear? 208 00:07:35,430 --> 00:07:37,355 - [Woman] You're not my real husband. 209 00:07:37,355 --> 00:07:40,529 - [Mamertine] Ugh, I'm so trapped in this marriage. 210 00:07:40,529 --> 00:07:41,679 - [Woman] Then get out! 211 00:07:43,319 --> 00:07:44,153 - [Mamertine] No. 212 00:07:44,153 --> 00:07:45,030 - [OverSimplified] Messana was now controlled 213 00:07:45,029 --> 00:07:47,069 by the Mamertines and they began raiding 214 00:07:47,069 --> 00:07:49,019 up and down the Syracuse coastline. 215 00:07:49,019 --> 00:07:52,919 When the new ruler of Syracuse saw this, he wasn't happy. 216 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:56,129 The Syracusans began fighting back and in response, 217 00:07:56,129 --> 00:07:59,759 the Mamertines said, "Oh, crap, they're fighting back? 218 00:07:59,759 --> 00:08:00,810 What do we do?" 219 00:08:00,810 --> 00:08:02,850 - [Mamertine] Quick, we'll convince the Carthaginians 220 00:08:02,850 --> 00:08:04,200 to come and save us. 221 00:08:04,199 --> 00:08:07,500 Oh no! We're in trouble! 222 00:08:07,500 --> 00:08:10,949 And we need a big, strong empire to come 223 00:08:10,949 --> 00:08:12,692 and rub our bellies. 224 00:08:12,692 --> 00:08:14,163 - [Mamertine Leader] Why are you saying it like that? 225 00:08:14,163 --> 00:08:16,439 - [Mamertine] If I was a big, strong empire, 226 00:08:16,439 --> 00:08:18,461 I think I'd like to be seduced. 227 00:08:18,461 --> 00:08:19,889 (Carthaginians murmur) 228 00:08:19,889 --> 00:08:21,812 See, it's working! 229 00:08:23,023 --> 00:08:24,210 - [OverSimplified] The Carthaginians had long dreamed 230 00:08:24,209 --> 00:08:25,709 of controlling all of Sicily. 231 00:08:25,709 --> 00:08:28,079 They had been fighting Syracuse and their Greek influence 232 00:08:28,079 --> 00:08:29,519 on the island for centuries 233 00:08:29,519 --> 00:08:31,589 and now here was a great opportunity 234 00:08:31,589 --> 00:08:33,059 to get one over on them. 235 00:08:33,059 --> 00:08:35,789 So Carthage promptly answered the Mamertines's cry for help 236 00:08:35,789 --> 00:08:38,069 and sent a force to garrison Messana. 237 00:08:38,070 --> 00:08:40,230 As it turned out, however, some within the ranks 238 00:08:40,230 --> 00:08:41,820 of the Mamertines weren't too happy 239 00:08:41,820 --> 00:08:43,650 with the occupying Carthaginians 240 00:08:43,649 --> 00:08:46,980 and they sent out a second cry for help to Rome. 241 00:08:46,980 --> 00:08:48,840 When it reached the Roman Senate, 242 00:08:48,840 --> 00:08:50,970 they were a little more hesitant. 243 00:08:50,970 --> 00:08:52,980 Going to help the Mamertines ran the risk 244 00:08:52,980 --> 00:08:55,409 of triggering an all-out war with Carthage 245 00:08:55,409 --> 00:08:56,730 and they had only just finished 246 00:08:56,730 --> 00:08:58,350 conquering the Italian peninsula, 247 00:08:58,350 --> 00:08:59,909 so they were kind of tired. 248 00:08:59,909 --> 00:09:02,819 Plus the Mamertines were all the way across the water. 249 00:09:02,820 --> 00:09:05,010 They had never made a leap like that before. 250 00:09:05,009 --> 00:09:07,439 So you would assume that to avoid any conflict 251 00:09:07,440 --> 00:09:09,540 with Carthage, the exhausted Romans 252 00:09:09,539 --> 00:09:11,789 would probably sit this one out, 253 00:09:11,789 --> 00:09:14,279 But you would assume wrong. 254 00:09:14,279 --> 00:09:19,049 Rome just couldn't resist a good chance for war. Why? 255 00:09:19,049 --> 00:09:22,199 Well, there's something you gotta understand about Rome. 256 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:24,600 See, as a Republic, they were hell-bent 257 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:28,019 on preventing any one man from ever gaining too much power. 258 00:09:28,019 --> 00:09:30,059 And so rather than having one leader, 259 00:09:30,059 --> 00:09:33,989 Rome had two, called Consuls, who shared power. 260 00:09:33,990 --> 00:09:36,870 These Consuls could also only serve for one year at a time 261 00:09:36,870 --> 00:09:38,970 before new Consuls were elected. 262 00:09:38,970 --> 00:09:41,879 These measures, to limit the powers of the Consuls, 263 00:09:41,879 --> 00:09:44,639 were noble, but had an interesting side effect. 264 00:09:44,639 --> 00:09:47,399 The Consuls knew they had just one year 265 00:09:47,399 --> 00:09:50,699 to try and gain as much glory and prestige as possible, 266 00:09:50,700 --> 00:09:54,120 something that was very important in Roman society. 267 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:56,820 And the best way of gaining glory and prestige? 268 00:09:56,820 --> 00:09:59,190 Military victory, of course. 269 00:09:59,190 --> 00:10:01,950 The Roman political system basically ended up 270 00:10:01,950 --> 00:10:05,850 encouraging these Consuls to go out and be as aggressive 271 00:10:05,850 --> 00:10:07,529 as your Italian grandmother 272 00:10:07,529 --> 00:10:09,754 when you don't eat all the spaghett. 273 00:10:09,754 --> 00:10:12,750 And so the glory-seeking Consuls convinced the people 274 00:10:12,750 --> 00:10:15,360 to vote in favor of going to Messana. 275 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:17,430 And in they went. 276 00:10:17,429 --> 00:10:19,139 Upon the arrival of the Romans, 277 00:10:19,139 --> 00:10:22,019 the Carthaginians in the city, amongst the confusion, 278 00:10:22,019 --> 00:10:23,610 were forced to leave. 279 00:10:23,610 --> 00:10:25,529 Now in contrast to Roman aggression, 280 00:10:25,529 --> 00:10:26,909 the Carthaginian military 281 00:10:26,909 --> 00:10:29,039 had a slightly different philosophy. 282 00:10:29,039 --> 00:10:31,049 - [Teacher] All right, kids, listen up. 283 00:10:31,049 --> 00:10:33,430 If you wanna grow up to be Carthaginian military leaders, 284 00:10:33,431 --> 00:10:36,420 there's a few things you have to understand. 285 00:10:36,419 --> 00:10:38,639 If you fail to succeed on the battlefield, 286 00:10:38,639 --> 00:10:39,990 that's a crucifixion. 287 00:10:39,990 --> 00:10:42,480 Showing cowardice, that's a crucifixion. 288 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:43,312 - [Warrior] Hello, sir. 289 00:10:43,312 --> 00:10:45,210 - [Teacher] Huh? What are you doing here? 290 00:10:45,210 --> 00:10:46,470 Aren't you meant to be in Messana? 291 00:10:46,470 --> 00:10:48,403 - [Warrior] Yeah, but the Romans showed up. 292 00:10:48,403 --> 00:10:50,700 - [Teacher] So you just left? 293 00:10:50,700 --> 00:10:51,750 - [Warrior] Sure did. 294 00:10:52,860 --> 00:10:55,639 - [Teacher] Oh, you better believe that's a crucifixion. 295 00:10:55,639 --> 00:10:57,090 (class cheers) 296 00:10:57,090 --> 00:10:58,680 - [OverSimplified] The Roman Consuls were awarded 297 00:10:58,679 --> 00:11:00,539 for victory and therefore tended 298 00:11:00,539 --> 00:11:02,189 to be aggressive go-getters. 299 00:11:02,190 --> 00:11:04,560 By contrast, the Carthaginian generals 300 00:11:04,559 --> 00:11:06,479 were brutally punished for failure 301 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:09,870 and so they tended to be more cautious and restrained. 302 00:11:09,870 --> 00:11:12,299 This dynamic is helpful for understanding some 303 00:11:12,299 --> 00:11:15,990 of the crazy things that happened during the Punic Wars. 304 00:11:15,990 --> 00:11:18,960 So the Romans have crossed over to Messana 305 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:21,389 and now there was some red on the island. 306 00:11:21,389 --> 00:11:22,980 Hit that panic button. 307 00:11:22,980 --> 00:11:24,120 (crowd screams) 308 00:11:24,120 --> 00:11:26,220 This turn of events was unacceptable 309 00:11:26,220 --> 00:11:28,230 to both Carthage and Syracuse. 310 00:11:28,230 --> 00:11:30,389 So the traditional enemies teamed up 311 00:11:30,389 --> 00:11:32,220 to kick the Romans off their island. 312 00:11:32,220 --> 00:11:34,147 They surrounded the city and said, 313 00:11:34,147 --> 00:11:37,500 "Hey, you jerks, this isn't your island! 314 00:11:37,500 --> 00:11:39,059 Come out of there at once!" 315 00:11:39,059 --> 00:11:41,099 - [Romans] Okay, we're coming! 316 00:11:41,100 --> 00:11:41,932 - [Carthaginian] See, Phil. 317 00:11:41,932 --> 00:11:43,860 You just gotta speak with authority. 318 00:11:43,860 --> 00:11:46,259 That's what being an alpha male's all about. 319 00:11:46,259 --> 00:11:47,210 - [Romans] Hey man. 320 00:11:48,054 --> 00:11:50,699 - [Carthaginian] Oh, you brought your weapons and armor? 321 00:11:50,700 --> 00:11:53,550 No, I didn't mean. Oh, crap. 322 00:11:53,549 --> 00:11:55,349 - [OverSimplified] Out the Roman legions came 323 00:11:55,350 --> 00:11:58,170 to engage the Carthaginians in battle 324 00:11:58,169 --> 00:12:00,329 and they sent them packing. 325 00:12:00,330 --> 00:12:03,360 With the battle of Messana, whether intended or not, 326 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:05,310 by going to help the Mamertines, 327 00:12:05,309 --> 00:12:09,932 the two sides had just slipped into an all-out war. 328 00:12:10,889 --> 00:12:14,069 With the initial Roman victory, towns across Sicily, 329 00:12:14,070 --> 00:12:17,460 including Syracuse began switching allegiance. 330 00:12:17,460 --> 00:12:20,100 Because being a winner is more fun. 331 00:12:20,100 --> 00:12:21,600 But the Carthaginians weren't about 332 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:23,519 to just give up that easily. 333 00:12:23,519 --> 00:12:27,179 In 262 BC, they began building up their forces 334 00:12:27,179 --> 00:12:28,289 at Agrigentum. 335 00:12:28,289 --> 00:12:30,870 So the Romans, being aggressive go-getters, 336 00:12:30,870 --> 00:12:32,759 aggressively go got them. 337 00:12:32,759 --> 00:12:34,740 The Romans immediately laid siege, 338 00:12:34,740 --> 00:12:37,350 hoping to starve out the Carthaginian garrison. 339 00:12:37,350 --> 00:12:39,659 However, because this was the first time Rome 340 00:12:39,659 --> 00:12:42,059 had been fighting outside the Italian peninsula, 341 00:12:42,059 --> 00:12:45,689 across the water, they struggled to supply their forces. 342 00:12:45,690 --> 00:12:47,850 And before long, the Romans were 343 00:12:47,850 --> 00:12:51,240 as starving as the Carthaginians they were besieging. 344 00:12:51,240 --> 00:12:54,690 They had to forage for food, leaving them open to ambush. 345 00:12:54,690 --> 00:12:57,000 And when Carthaginian reinforcement arrived, 346 00:12:57,000 --> 00:13:00,629 creating a double siege, things got really bad. 347 00:13:00,629 --> 00:13:02,850 Everybody starved each other for months 348 00:13:02,850 --> 00:13:04,500 until nobody could take it anymore 349 00:13:04,500 --> 00:13:08,549 and they all finally came out for battle, which Rome won. 350 00:13:08,549 --> 00:13:09,539 - [War Counselor] Here's the report 351 00:13:09,539 --> 00:13:11,879 from the recent siege at Agrigentum, sir. 352 00:13:11,879 --> 00:13:13,649 - [Senate Member] We killed 30,000 353 00:13:13,649 --> 00:13:16,079 while only suffering 7,000 losses? 354 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:18,540 That's amazing! We're the best! 355 00:13:18,539 --> 00:13:19,649 - [War Counselor] Yes, sir. 356 00:13:19,649 --> 00:13:21,750 Whoops, those are the wrong way around. 357 00:13:21,750 --> 00:13:24,629 - [Senate Member] What? We lost 30,000? 358 00:13:24,629 --> 00:13:27,929 We're the worst! But we won, right? 359 00:13:27,929 --> 00:13:28,919 - [War Counselor] Yes, sir. 360 00:13:28,919 --> 00:13:31,139 - [Senate Member] But we also got our asses kicked? 361 00:13:31,139 --> 00:13:32,129 - [War Counselor] Yes, sir. 362 00:13:32,129 --> 00:13:34,312 - [Senate Member] So are we the best or the worst? 363 00:13:35,429 --> 00:13:36,512 - [War Counselor] Yes, sir. 364 00:13:36,513 --> 00:13:37,950 (Senate murmurs) 365 00:13:37,950 --> 00:13:39,540 - [OverSimplified] The Romans wanted Agrigentum 366 00:13:39,539 --> 00:13:41,490 because they were aggressive go-getters 367 00:13:41,490 --> 00:13:43,769 and they now began eyeing up the possibility 368 00:13:43,769 --> 00:13:45,899 of conquering the entire island. 369 00:13:45,899 --> 00:13:48,389 But they also suffered very heavy losses 370 00:13:48,389 --> 00:13:51,000 and it was clear they couldn't sustain a campaign 371 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:53,250 if they couldn't supply their troops. 372 00:13:53,250 --> 00:13:56,490 Here's the issue. Sicily was an island. 373 00:13:56,490 --> 00:13:59,039 Islands are surrounded by water. 374 00:13:59,039 --> 00:14:02,129 A strong navy would be vital for supplying troops 375 00:14:02,129 --> 00:14:03,809 and winning the war. 376 00:14:03,809 --> 00:14:08,639 Here was Carthage's navy and here was Rome's. 377 00:14:08,639 --> 00:14:09,472 (water splashes) I think you 378 00:14:09,472 --> 00:14:10,799 can see the problem. 379 00:14:10,799 --> 00:14:13,979 Historians debate just how much naval experience Rome 380 00:14:13,980 --> 00:14:15,180 had at this point. 381 00:14:15,179 --> 00:14:17,279 Presumably, they must have had something 382 00:14:17,279 --> 00:14:18,990 to defend their shoreline. 383 00:14:18,990 --> 00:14:22,529 But whatever it was, it would've paled in comparison 384 00:14:22,529 --> 00:14:24,659 to the Carthaginian juggernaut. 385 00:14:24,659 --> 00:14:27,839 And so Rome had to figure out exactly what to do 386 00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:29,460 about all this water. 387 00:14:29,460 --> 00:14:30,720 - [Roman General] Come on, men! 388 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:32,399 We're not gonna let some pansy, 389 00:14:32,399 --> 00:14:33,959 candy-ass water get in the way 390 00:14:33,960 --> 00:14:36,625 of our glorious victory against Carthage! 391 00:14:36,625 --> 00:14:37,832 Charge! 392 00:14:39,179 --> 00:14:41,279 (Roman General sputters) 393 00:14:41,279 --> 00:14:43,269 Tell my kids I love them! 394 00:14:46,289 --> 00:14:48,449 - [Roman Leader] We're gonna need a bigger boat. 395 00:14:48,450 --> 00:14:49,920 - [Roman Warrior] What's a boat? 396 00:14:49,919 --> 00:14:50,752 - [Roman Leader] I don't know. 397 00:14:50,753 --> 00:14:52,530 - [OverSimplified] If the Romans wanted to win this war 398 00:14:52,529 --> 00:14:56,370 and obtain Sicily, there was only one thing for them to do. 399 00:14:56,370 --> 00:14:57,509 - [Roman General] I guess we're just gonna have 400 00:14:57,509 --> 00:15:00,330 to go ahead and build ourselves a war fleet, aren't we? 401 00:15:00,330 --> 00:15:01,350 - [Hank] From scratch? 402 00:15:01,350 --> 00:15:02,670 - [Roman General] From scratch. 403 00:15:02,669 --> 00:15:04,019 - [Hank] But we don't even know how, 404 00:15:04,019 --> 00:15:05,850 never mind how to fight with one. 405 00:15:05,850 --> 00:15:07,139 - [Roman General] Don't worry, Hank. 406 00:15:07,139 --> 00:15:09,629 We're up to the challenge. Come on, guys. 407 00:15:09,629 --> 00:15:13,559 We're Romans and Romans aren't afraid of anything! (screams) 408 00:15:13,559 --> 00:15:15,809 - [OverSimplified] And so the Romans worked long and hard, 409 00:15:15,809 --> 00:15:18,299 trying to figure out how on earth you actually built 410 00:15:18,299 --> 00:15:19,829 the latest style of warship. 411 00:15:19,830 --> 00:15:22,590 In the end, they had a bit of luck on their side. 412 00:15:22,590 --> 00:15:24,629 A Carthaginian quinquireme ended up 413 00:15:24,629 --> 00:15:26,850 accidentally grounding on Italian soil. 414 00:15:26,850 --> 00:15:29,430 The Romans found it and copied the design. 415 00:15:29,429 --> 00:15:31,169 While the new fleet was being built, 416 00:15:31,169 --> 00:15:34,589 the Romans trained rowers on land and, would you believe it, 417 00:15:34,590 --> 00:15:37,860 the Romans put together a full fighting fleet 418 00:15:37,860 --> 00:15:42,860 of 120 warships in just two months, a staggering feat. 419 00:15:43,950 --> 00:15:45,637 Now, I know what you're thinking. 420 00:15:45,636 --> 00:15:48,389 "But OverSimplified, if the Romans can build a war fleet 421 00:15:48,389 --> 00:15:49,980 from scratch in two months, 422 00:15:49,980 --> 00:15:52,860 then why does it take you half a year to make a video?" 423 00:15:52,860 --> 00:15:57,427 Well, my valued subscriber, I think you should shut up. 424 00:15:57,427 --> 00:15:58,980 - [Carthaginian General] What the heck? 425 00:15:58,980 --> 00:16:02,340 How on earth did the Romans learn how to build a war fleet? 426 00:16:02,340 --> 00:16:04,230 This shouldn't be happening! 427 00:16:04,230 --> 00:16:05,062 - [Carl] From what I hear, 428 00:16:05,062 --> 00:16:07,236 they copied the design from us, sir. 429 00:16:07,236 --> 00:16:08,069 - [Carthaginian General] Well, how on earth 430 00:16:08,070 --> 00:16:10,287 did they get the blueprint, Carl? 431 00:16:10,287 --> 00:16:12,060 - [Carl] I don't know, sir. 432 00:16:12,059 --> 00:16:13,319 But I'll tell you what. 433 00:16:13,320 --> 00:16:15,217 If you're worried about people stealing your data? 434 00:16:15,216 --> 00:16:16,049 - [Carthaginian General] No. 435 00:16:16,049 --> 00:16:17,219 - [Carl] And you wanna protect yourself 436 00:16:17,220 --> 00:16:18,452 from outside threats-- 437 00:16:18,452 --> 00:16:19,285 - [Carthaginian General] Don't you dare! 438 00:16:19,285 --> 00:16:20,391 - [Carl] Then you, my friend-- 439 00:16:20,392 --> 00:16:21,420 - [Carthaginian General] If you mention NordVPN, 440 00:16:21,419 --> 00:16:23,069 I'll scream! 441 00:16:23,070 --> 00:16:26,465 - Should use NordVPN! (Carthaginian General screams) 442 00:16:26,465 --> 00:16:27,720 - [OverSimplified] Do you like corporations 443 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:30,090 knowing everything about you and then selling your data 444 00:16:30,090 --> 00:16:32,700 to advertisers who convince you to buy things you don't need 445 00:16:32,700 --> 00:16:35,970 in an endless cycle over and over until you die? 446 00:16:35,970 --> 00:16:40,920 Me neither! And that's why I use NordVPN. (laughs) 447 00:16:40,919 --> 00:16:44,189 NordVPN allows you to connect to super fast secure servers 448 00:16:44,190 --> 00:16:46,890 all around the world, encrypting your IP address 449 00:16:46,889 --> 00:16:49,980 to protect your online data from undesirable eyes. 450 00:16:49,980 --> 00:16:53,009 That means you can look at all the Squatty Potties you want 451 00:16:53,009 --> 00:16:54,330 and no one will know! 452 00:16:54,330 --> 00:16:57,600 With NordVPN, you can search for better online deals 453 00:16:57,600 --> 00:16:59,790 in other territories and unlock content 454 00:16:59,789 --> 00:17:01,649 not available in your country, hey! 455 00:17:01,649 --> 00:17:04,529 NordVPN now comes with a threat protection function 456 00:17:04,529 --> 00:17:05,670 and much more. 457 00:17:05,670 --> 00:17:06,810 And if you don't like it, 458 00:17:06,809 --> 00:17:09,690 it comes with a 30 day money-back guarantee. 459 00:17:09,690 --> 00:17:13,049 Go to Nordvpn.com/oversimplified 460 00:17:13,049 --> 00:17:16,049 to get an exclusive deal with a huge discount. 461 00:17:16,049 --> 00:17:19,889 That's Nordvpn.com/oversimplified. 462 00:17:19,890 --> 00:17:22,680 And as always, you'll be supporting my channel. 463 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:24,210 So thank you. 464 00:17:24,210 --> 00:17:25,263 Now, where were we? 465 00:17:26,130 --> 00:17:29,820 Oh yeah, the siege at Agrigentum, supply issues, 466 00:17:29,819 --> 00:17:32,490 and building a war fleet. 467 00:17:32,490 --> 00:17:35,640 So now the Romans have a navy and it's time 468 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:37,110 to put it to the test. 469 00:17:37,109 --> 00:17:40,169 But how does one wage ancient naval warfare? 470 00:17:40,170 --> 00:17:41,003 Easy! (bell dings) 471 00:17:41,002 --> 00:17:43,619 All of the ships had giant bronze rams on the front, 472 00:17:43,619 --> 00:17:46,349 so all you had to do was out-maneuver the enemy 473 00:17:46,349 --> 00:17:47,969 and give them the jimmies. 474 00:17:47,970 --> 00:17:49,559 Easy as pie. 475 00:17:49,559 --> 00:17:51,720 And so the aggressive Romans set out 476 00:17:51,720 --> 00:17:54,269 for some good old fashioned jimmy-giving. 477 00:17:54,269 --> 00:17:58,019 The Consul Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio set out for the town 478 00:17:58,019 --> 00:18:00,569 of Lipara, believing the garrison there wanted 479 00:18:00,569 --> 00:18:01,919 to join the Romans. 480 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:05,070 As he entered the harbor, however, he found himself trapped 481 00:18:05,069 --> 00:18:08,460 by a Carthaginian fleet and, in the following skirmish, 482 00:18:08,460 --> 00:18:11,370 he was completely outmatched. 483 00:18:11,369 --> 00:18:13,739 The Romans may have had a brand new fleet, 484 00:18:13,740 --> 00:18:16,109 but when it came to engaging in actual combat, 485 00:18:16,109 --> 00:18:18,269 their inexperience showed. 486 00:18:18,269 --> 00:18:19,920 There was just something better 487 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:21,810 about the Carthaginian ships. 488 00:18:21,809 --> 00:18:24,599 The Carthaginian rowers had nicer abs. 489 00:18:24,599 --> 00:18:27,689 The entire Carthaginian Empire had been built 490 00:18:27,690 --> 00:18:29,460 on expert seamanship. 491 00:18:29,460 --> 00:18:33,360 So when it came to water, the Carthaginians were better 492 00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:35,669 and the Romans were wetter. 493 00:18:35,670 --> 00:18:39,000 In their initial skirmish, the Romans were beaten so badly 494 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:43,079 that the Consul, Scipio, was given a nickname, Asina. 495 00:18:43,079 --> 00:18:46,756 And if you're wondering what that means, just drop the -ina. 496 00:18:46,757 --> 00:18:47,590 (donkey hee-haws) 497 00:18:47,589 --> 00:18:49,709 So what were the Romans to do? 498 00:18:49,710 --> 00:18:51,569 How could they possibly stand up 499 00:18:51,569 --> 00:18:53,778 to this Carthaginian superpower? 500 00:18:53,778 --> 00:18:57,000 Well, there's something you gotta understand 501 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:58,380 about the Romans. 502 00:18:58,380 --> 00:19:00,510 Back when they found that Carthaginian ship 503 00:19:00,509 --> 00:19:03,809 and copied its design, that wasn't a one-off thing. 504 00:19:03,809 --> 00:19:07,470 Copying their enemies was as Roman as punishing murderers 505 00:19:07,470 --> 00:19:09,870 by sewing them into a leather pouch with a monkey, snake, 506 00:19:09,869 --> 00:19:12,119 and rooster and then throwing them into a river, 507 00:19:12,119 --> 00:19:13,829 which is a thing they did. 508 00:19:13,829 --> 00:19:15,319 Wait, what was I talking about? 509 00:19:15,319 --> 00:19:17,819 Oh yeah, copying their enemies. 510 00:19:17,819 --> 00:19:20,369 Many of the most famous Roman inventions 511 00:19:20,369 --> 00:19:21,869 were actually borrowed. 512 00:19:21,869 --> 00:19:24,809 Aqueducts, chariot racing, their gods. 513 00:19:24,809 --> 00:19:27,149 Even in warfare, the Romans would get pierced 514 00:19:27,150 --> 00:19:30,300 by a Sabine javelin and they'd be like, "Wow!" 515 00:19:30,299 --> 00:19:32,819 They'd get hacked to bits by an Iberian sword 516 00:19:32,819 --> 00:19:34,799 and they'd be like, "Wow!" 517 00:19:34,799 --> 00:19:37,500 And they'd copy the designs for themselves. 518 00:19:37,500 --> 00:19:39,900 However, they wouldn't just copy it. 519 00:19:39,900 --> 00:19:42,810 They would advance it, finding ways to adapt it 520 00:19:42,809 --> 00:19:45,029 as perfectly as possible. 521 00:19:45,029 --> 00:19:48,329 And in the case of naval warfare, the Romans realized 522 00:19:48,329 --> 00:19:51,149 if they wanted to beat the Carthaginians at their own game, 523 00:19:51,150 --> 00:19:53,519 they would have to adapt. 524 00:19:53,519 --> 00:19:57,426 The Romans excelled at combat on land, not on water. 525 00:19:57,426 --> 00:20:00,509 "But what if," they said, "We could somehow 526 00:20:00,509 --> 00:20:03,720 turn a sea battle into a land battle?" 527 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:05,703 Sounds crazy, right? 528 00:20:05,703 --> 00:20:08,009 Well, they made a couple of tweaks 529 00:20:08,009 --> 00:20:09,456 to their warship and-- 530 00:20:09,457 --> 00:20:12,180 - [Carthaginian General] Look, here they come again! 531 00:20:12,180 --> 00:20:14,400 They must love getting their asses kicked! 532 00:20:14,400 --> 00:20:16,650 - [Carthaginian] Uh, sir, almost that tall thing 533 00:20:16,650 --> 00:20:18,147 sticking out of their ships? 534 00:20:18,146 --> 00:20:23,146 - [Carthaginian General] (laughs) They really are idiots! 535 00:20:23,156 --> 00:20:26,699 Look at that thing! That'll make them blow over! 536 00:20:26,700 --> 00:20:29,400 I mean, look at... (laughs) 537 00:20:30,509 --> 00:20:34,958 Bob, get your camera out! 538 00:20:34,958 --> 00:20:37,023 (laughs) Take a picture of it. 539 00:20:39,329 --> 00:20:41,759 I mean, how stupid can you be? 540 00:20:41,759 --> 00:20:44,400 Let's just add a big wooden tower to our ship 541 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:47,493 that'll weigh us down and blow us over in the wind! 542 00:20:49,505 --> 00:20:51,670 I mean, what does that thing even do? 543 00:20:51,670 --> 00:20:52,744 (ship crunches) 544 00:20:52,743 --> 00:20:54,993 (men yell) 545 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:57,570 - [OverSimplified] The Romans had built 546 00:20:57,569 --> 00:21:01,049 a big swinging spiked gangway called the Corvus. 547 00:21:01,049 --> 00:21:03,930 So when the Carthaginian ships approached to ram them, 548 00:21:03,930 --> 00:21:06,180 the Romans would just slam them. 549 00:21:06,180 --> 00:21:09,390 The Carthaginians tried going around. No problem. 550 00:21:09,390 --> 00:21:11,220 The Corvus could swivel. 551 00:21:11,220 --> 00:21:14,670 Try going behind, the Romans would huddle to the coastline. 552 00:21:14,670 --> 00:21:17,220 It was foolproof. (Romans cheer) 553 00:21:17,220 --> 00:21:19,829 Those big sexy Carthaginian rowing muscles 554 00:21:19,829 --> 00:21:22,619 could flex all they want, but they were no match 555 00:21:22,619 --> 00:21:24,719 for the Roman mind. 556 00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:26,519 So ladies, you see? 557 00:21:26,519 --> 00:21:29,163 What really matters is what's on the inside. 558 00:21:30,539 --> 00:21:31,710 Please go out with me. 559 00:21:31,710 --> 00:21:34,920 And with that, the Romans, who had only just recently 560 00:21:34,920 --> 00:21:37,350 began dabbling in the art of naval combat, 561 00:21:37,349 --> 00:21:40,679 thanks to their ingenious Corvus, had just managed 562 00:21:40,680 --> 00:21:44,490 to outclass the Mediterranean seafaring superpower. 563 00:21:44,490 --> 00:21:46,890 The Carthaginians were stunned. 564 00:21:46,890 --> 00:21:48,390 And the general in charge 565 00:21:48,390 --> 00:21:50,759 of the defeated Carthaginian fleet? 566 00:21:50,759 --> 00:21:54,661 Well, you better believe that's a crucifixion. 567 00:21:54,661 --> 00:21:56,070 (kids cheer) 568 00:21:56,069 --> 00:21:58,379 With their newfound control of the seas, 569 00:21:58,380 --> 00:22:01,530 the Romans could now more easily blockade coastal cities 570 00:22:01,529 --> 00:22:03,690 and supply their legions on land. 571 00:22:03,690 --> 00:22:05,910 Surely the Romans were now free 572 00:22:05,910 --> 00:22:09,330 to unleash their aggression all over the island. 573 00:22:09,329 --> 00:22:11,609 - [Roman General] Haha! Hey Carthaginians! 574 00:22:11,609 --> 00:22:13,319 What are you gonna do now that we're free 575 00:22:13,319 --> 00:22:15,158 to rampage across the island? 576 00:22:15,159 --> 00:22:17,640 - [Carthaginian General] We're gonna go inside these walls 577 00:22:17,640 --> 00:22:18,932 and close this gate. 578 00:22:20,400 --> 00:22:21,509 - [Roman General] Oh, come on guys. 579 00:22:21,509 --> 00:22:23,406 Stop messing around. Come out so we can kill you! 580 00:22:23,406 --> 00:22:24,240 - [Carthaginian General] No. 581 00:22:24,240 --> 00:22:25,656 - [Roman General] Oh, come on! 582 00:22:25,656 --> 00:22:27,999 - [Carthaginian General] No. 583 00:22:27,999 --> 00:22:29,339 - [Roman General] Oh no! 584 00:22:29,339 --> 00:22:31,349 - [OverSimplified] To counter the new Romans supremacy, 585 00:22:31,349 --> 00:22:33,299 the Carthaginians decided to engage 586 00:22:33,299 --> 00:22:35,009 in a defensive war of attrition, 587 00:22:35,009 --> 00:22:38,970 forcing the Romans to engage in siege after lengthy siege. 588 00:22:38,970 --> 00:22:43,589 The war in Sicily became a long, hard, back and forth slug. 589 00:22:43,589 --> 00:22:47,399 One by one, cities slowly fell as the Romans gained ground. 590 00:22:47,400 --> 00:22:49,620 Occasionally, the Carthaginians countered 591 00:22:49,619 --> 00:22:51,000 and even pushed them back, 592 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:53,460 only for the Romans to rebound again. 593 00:22:53,460 --> 00:22:55,860 And whenever a city did finally fall, 594 00:22:55,859 --> 00:22:57,509 the Romans could delight 595 00:22:57,509 --> 00:22:59,609 in slaughtering the entire population 596 00:22:59,609 --> 00:23:02,099 and selling any survivors into slavery, 597 00:23:02,099 --> 00:23:04,649 which was pretty standard procedure at the time. 598 00:23:04,650 --> 00:23:08,040 In general, the campaign on land was progressing much slower 599 00:23:08,039 --> 00:23:09,359 than the Romans had hoped. 600 00:23:09,359 --> 00:23:12,359 And quite frankly, they were getting sick of it. 601 00:23:12,359 --> 00:23:17,359 So in 256 BC, they decided that something had to change. 602 00:23:18,240 --> 00:23:21,210 - [Marcus] Hey everyone, my name's Marcus Atilius Regulus 603 00:23:21,210 --> 00:23:23,340 and I'll be one of your Consuls for this year. 604 00:23:23,339 --> 00:23:25,199 Look as I'm sure you all know, 605 00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:27,180 Sicily's being a bit of a drag. 606 00:23:27,180 --> 00:23:30,150 Sure, I could go and spend my entire year as Consul 607 00:23:30,150 --> 00:23:32,730 besieging one single city, but they'll never make 608 00:23:32,730 --> 00:23:34,410 a naked statue of me for that. 609 00:23:34,410 --> 00:23:36,420 So here's the new plan. 610 00:23:36,420 --> 00:23:39,420 I'm gonna skip Sicily entirely, take my army, 611 00:23:39,420 --> 00:23:42,330 and go right for the heart of Carthage itself. 612 00:23:42,329 --> 00:23:45,629 I'll slaughter the men, enslave all the women and children, 613 00:23:45,630 --> 00:23:48,133 and when I return, you'll all build 614 00:23:48,133 --> 00:23:50,502 1,000 naked statues of me. 615 00:23:50,502 --> 00:23:53,789 (crowd cheers) 616 00:23:53,789 --> 00:23:56,549 - [Jim] Marcus, that woman and children stuff. 617 00:23:56,549 --> 00:23:58,440 That seems pretty evil and barbaric. 618 00:23:58,440 --> 00:24:00,090 - [Marcus] No, Jim, it's perfectly normal 619 00:24:00,089 --> 00:24:01,169 in the ancient world. 620 00:24:01,170 --> 00:24:03,504 Sometimes we even chop their pets in half. 621 00:24:03,503 --> 00:24:05,463 (crowd cheers) 622 00:24:05,463 --> 00:24:07,049 - [Carthaginian General] Okay guys, looks like the Romans 623 00:24:07,049 --> 00:24:09,029 are coming straight for us this time. 624 00:24:09,029 --> 00:24:10,799 And what will they do when they get here? 625 00:24:10,799 --> 00:24:12,326 They'll kill us all. 626 00:24:12,326 --> 00:24:13,160 (crowd gasps) 627 00:24:13,160 --> 00:24:14,940 They'll massacre each and every last one of us. 628 00:24:14,940 --> 00:24:16,740 They may even chop our pets in half. 629 00:24:16,740 --> 00:24:18,203 - [Rob] That's barbaric! 630 00:24:18,203 --> 00:24:19,037 - [Carthaginian General] No, Rob, 631 00:24:19,037 --> 00:24:20,640 it's actually pretty normal for the time. 632 00:24:20,640 --> 00:24:22,020 We'd do the same to them. 633 00:24:22,019 --> 00:24:23,231 - [Mary] Who will protect us? 634 00:24:23,231 --> 00:24:25,170 - [Carthaginian General] Funny you should ask, Mary. 635 00:24:25,170 --> 00:24:27,660 That's kind of why I called this meeting. 636 00:24:27,660 --> 00:24:29,240 Who will protect us? 637 00:24:29,240 --> 00:24:34,240 Protect our families, our homes, our children? 638 00:24:35,460 --> 00:24:40,460 You guys? Ha, don't make me laugh. 639 00:24:40,680 --> 00:24:45,090 Why, you're just a bunch of stupid and weak farmers. 640 00:24:45,089 --> 00:24:50,089 Simple-minded buffoons, cowards, fools. 641 00:24:50,369 --> 00:24:54,929 Rob here thinks enslaving women and children is barbaric. 642 00:24:54,930 --> 00:24:57,962 You're a snowflake, Rob. Yes, you are. 643 00:24:58,859 --> 00:25:03,859 The fact is if the Romans manage to land on African soil, 644 00:25:03,900 --> 00:25:08,900 we're all gonna die a terrifying, hideous, 645 00:25:09,089 --> 00:25:12,153 unspeakably painful death. 646 00:25:16,589 --> 00:25:19,226 - [Rob] Is that the end of that speech? 647 00:25:19,227 --> 00:25:20,388 - [Carthaginian General] Yes. 648 00:25:20,387 --> 00:25:23,054 (crowd screams) 649 00:25:24,896 --> 00:25:26,490 - [OverSimplified] The Carthaginians had to stop the Romans 650 00:25:26,490 --> 00:25:29,099 from ever landing in Africa because they believed 651 00:25:29,099 --> 00:25:30,389 that would be the end. 652 00:25:30,390 --> 00:25:32,730 So as the Romans were building an invasion fleet 653 00:25:32,730 --> 00:25:35,339 the size of which the world had never seen before, 654 00:25:35,339 --> 00:25:38,069 the Carthaginians were preparing an even bigger one 655 00:25:38,069 --> 00:25:39,269 to stop them. 656 00:25:39,269 --> 00:25:43,170 And in 256 BC, as the Roman invasion fleet 657 00:25:43,170 --> 00:25:45,930 made its way south, the stage was set 658 00:25:45,930 --> 00:25:50,130 for a humongous battle that saw 680 warships, 659 00:25:50,130 --> 00:25:53,670 around 300,000 men, fighting to decide 660 00:25:53,670 --> 00:25:55,050 the course of the war. 661 00:25:55,049 --> 00:25:57,720 To this day, the Battle of Cape Ecnomus 662 00:25:57,720 --> 00:26:02,039 remains possibly the largest naval battle in human history, 663 00:26:02,039 --> 00:26:04,799 all the way back in ancient times. 664 00:26:04,799 --> 00:26:06,389 So the next time your granddad tells you 665 00:26:06,390 --> 00:26:09,420 about the time he sank a Japanese aircraft carrier, 666 00:26:09,420 --> 00:26:10,350 kick him in the nuts. 667 00:26:10,349 --> 00:26:12,569 The Romans had a lot riding on this battle. 668 00:26:12,569 --> 00:26:14,490 They weren't just sending their warships, 669 00:26:14,490 --> 00:26:17,910 but transports as well, full of supplies and horses 670 00:26:17,910 --> 00:26:19,500 for their invasion of Africa. 671 00:26:19,500 --> 00:26:22,230 They therefore formed a protective wedge-like formation 672 00:26:22,230 --> 00:26:25,440 to punch through the long, thin Carthaginian line. 673 00:26:25,440 --> 00:26:28,049 The Carthaginian generals, however, desperate 674 00:26:28,049 --> 00:26:30,269 to prevent the Romans from reaching Africa, 675 00:26:30,269 --> 00:26:32,400 had a plan of their own. 676 00:26:32,400 --> 00:26:35,910 As the Roman fleet approached, the Carthaginian center 677 00:26:35,910 --> 00:26:38,820 feigned a retreat luring the Romans in 678 00:26:38,819 --> 00:26:41,159 so their outstretched flanks could envelop them 679 00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:45,150 and get around the Roman Corvus, a clever plan. 680 00:26:45,150 --> 00:26:47,670 But with such a huge battle 681 00:26:47,670 --> 00:26:49,769 and so many ships crowded together, 682 00:26:49,769 --> 00:26:52,859 the Carthaginians struggled to maneuver as hoped 683 00:26:52,859 --> 00:26:56,009 and in the chaos, three separate battles emerged 684 00:26:56,009 --> 00:26:58,259 across the huge battle space. 685 00:26:58,259 --> 00:27:01,379 With the number of ships limiting their ability to maneuver, 686 00:27:01,380 --> 00:27:04,110 the Carthaginians became sitting ducks 687 00:27:04,109 --> 00:27:07,469 and all the Romans had to do was start swinging. 688 00:27:07,470 --> 00:27:10,380 The Roman center came out on top and were then able 689 00:27:10,380 --> 00:27:13,890 to turn around and rescue their pinned-down flanks. 690 00:27:13,890 --> 00:27:18,873 The battle of Cape Ecnomus was a Roman victory. 691 00:27:20,046 --> 00:27:22,462 (epic music)