THE CORVUS BOARDING BRIDGE

The Battle of Mylae, fought in 260 BC off the coast of Sicily, marked a crucial turning point in the First Punic War between Rome and Carthage.

Rome, a formidable land power, lacked significant naval experience.

Carthage, a maritime power, possessed a well-equipped and experienced navy.

Faced with the need to challenge Carthaginian dominance, the Romans embarked on an ambitious shipbuilding program. They constructed a fleet of warships, incorporating a novel boarding device known as the "corvus."

The corvus was a large, heavy beam with a sharp iron spike at one end. It was mounted on the prow of Roman ships. In battle, the corvus would be lowered onto the deck of an enemy ship, effectively creating a bridge for Roman soldiers to board and engage in hand-to-hand combat. This transformed naval battles into land battles, where the Romans, with their superior infantry tactics, held a significant advantage.

Commanded by Consul Gaius Duilius, the Roman fleet, despite its inexperience, engaged the Carthaginian navy near Mylae.

The battle was fierce. The Carthaginian ships, known for their maneuverability and seamanship, initially had the advantage. The Romans, employing the corvus, successfully boarded enemy ships. The ensuing fighting favored the Romans, who were skilled in close-quarters combat.

The Carthaginians suffered heavy losses. Many of their ships were either captured or sunk. The Battle of Mylae resulted in a decisive Roman victory. It demonstrated the effectiveness of the corvus and proved that Rome could effectively challenge Carthaginian naval power.