Rome prepared to transfer the war from Sicily to Libya, making an African landing its strategic objective. Polybius describes 330 Roman warships facing 350 Carthaginian vessels, with the Roman expedition divided into four units. The two consuls' larger six-class galleys led the first and second squadrons, which diverged behind them to form a wedge. A third squadron closed its base and towed the horse transports. The fourth formed a wider rear line behind the transports. This arrangement protected the invasion force during an open-water passage against faster enemy ships.
Chapter · 1:05:34-1:08:40
Rome's protected wedge for an invasion fleet
The Roman formation protected towed horse transports while keeping two forward squadrons able to fight their way toward Africa.