Ecnomus
Ecnomus refers to the site of the Battle of Cape Ecnomus, a significant naval engagement that took place during the First Punic War in 256 BCE. This battle is notable for being one of the largest naval confrontations in ancient Mediterranean history, and it is often considered a contender for the largest naval battle of all time. The Romans, led by commanders Lucius Manlius Vulso and Marcus Atilius Regulus, achieved a decisive victory against the Carthaginian fleet, which allowed them to advance their military efforts into North Africa. Despite this initial success, Roman forces encountered challenges in subsequent campaigns. The geographical context of Ecnomus includes a notable hill in southern Sicily known as Poggio Sant'Angelo or Monte Cufino, which played a role in the region's historical military activities. The legacy of the battle and its strategic implications highlight its importance in the broader context of Roman-Carthaginian conflicts. Ecnomus serves as a pivotal moment in ancient naval warfare, reflecting the complexities and challenges of military strategies during this era.
Ecnomus
Eknomon
A hill in southern Sicily (Poggio Sant'Angelo or Monte Cufino), rising just above the coast. Phalaris, autocrat (`tyrant’) of Acragas (Agrigento) (c 570/65–554/549 BC), possessed a fortress in the neighborhood, and Agathocles of Syracuse was defeated there by the Carthaginians (311). The town of Phintias (Licata) was founded beneath the hill and named after its founder, the ruler of Acragas (282/80).
In the waters off the adjacent Cape Ecnomus, the Romans, under Lucius Manlius Vulso and Marcus Atilius Regulus, won an important naval victory over the Carthaginian fleet early in the First Punic War (256). This enabled them to carry the war to north Africa, but not with initial success. In 249 the Carthaginian admiral Carthalo forced a Roman flotilla onto the shore near the cape.