A Roman battering ram, a formidable weapon of ancient warfare, has been unearthed from the depths of the Mediterranean Sea, providing a tangible link to a pivotal historical event. The massive bronze ram, recovered by researchers using a deepwater submarine at a depth of 260 feet (80 meters) off the coast of Sicily’s Aegadian Islands, was once attached to an ancient warship. This discovery is significant as it is believed to have been used during the Battle of the Aegates, a decisive clash that occurred in 241 B.C. between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian Empire. This battle marked the end of the First Punic War, a 23-year conflict that ultimately resulted in Carthage’s surrender to Rome and the establishment of Roman dominance over the Mediterranean Sea.
The ram’s discovery has shed further light on the Battle of the Aegates, a crucial moment in ancient history. The artifact, now ashore on the island of Favignana, reveals an ornamental relief depicting a Montefortino-style Roman helmet adorned with three feathers. This type of helmet, a standard issue for Roman soldiers, further confirms the ram’s Roman origin.
The Mediterranean seabed, particularly the area around the Aegadian Islands, has consistently yielded valuable artifacts that illuminate the naval battles fought between Rome and Carthage. Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, the city councilor of Palermo, emphasizes the importance of these findings: “The [Aegadian] seabed is always a valuable source of information to add further knowledge about the naval battle between the Roman and Carthaginian fleets…archaeologists’ studies [have] allowed the identification of the theater of the battle that sanctioned the dominance of the Romans over the Mediterranean.” This discovery underscores the enduring power of archaeology to uncover the past, bringing history to life and offering insights into the strategies and weaponry of ancient civilizations.
