When did Rome use naval power most effectively?

What was the Roman navy for, and who used it most effectively?

The Punic Wars and Roman civil wars supplied the major tests, with Scipio Africanus suggested for the former and Agrippa prominent in Octavian's naval success.

The Punic Wars are identified as a high point of Roman naval employment against an external maritime rival, with Scipio Africanus suggested as an effective user of naval power. After Carthage's defeat, Rome had few comparable naval opponents. The civil wars then brought Roman fleets into combat against one another, including the struggle between Octavian and Antony. Agrippa supplied Octavian with a commander skilled in handling ships and fighting wars, while Octavian's strength lay in recognizing that talent.