Battle of Sazan Island

1) Background-

Piracy was a major problem in the Mediterranean Sea in the 270's and 260's BC. Pirates from as far a way as Cilicia, Illyria, and the Black Sea. The rise of the Roman republic as the dominate power on the Italian peninsular allowed for easier raids and plundering expeditions since the the republic's navy was weak. In 270 B.C two Brutii Commanders Amulius and Aulus Brutus begun the conquest of Illyria and Epirus Taking the towns of Apollonia, Salona, and Segestica fully completing the conquest by 267 B.C.

2) Prelude-

The Brutii victory at the battle of Otranto stopped piracy for 6 months until a new captain named Arpalos, a rhodian pirate who achieved recognition for his victories over the fleets of the Greek city states and Macedonia. in the early 270's B.C They payed a hefty sum of money to convince Arpalos to instead travel to italy and start an pirate operation.

3) Battle- Arpalos arrived near Tarentum in 256 B.C where he heard of roman fleet led by Admiral Asinius were delivering supplies and men to Apollonia. Arpalos managed to catch the fleet unprepared near Sazan Island and swiftly defeated them catching 12 ships, the rest fleeing all the way to southern Greece

4) Aftermath- Despite the victory Arpalos hadn't achived much. The 12 ships he had caught had little loot and he had lost 6 ships and 38 men to the Romans.