Warfare > Battle of Paxos

Battle of Paxos

Background

The Battle of Paxos, also known as the Battle of Paxoi, took place around 229 BCE during the Illyrian Wars. This naval engagement was part of the conflict between the expanding Roman Republic and the Illyrian pirates who were disrupting trade and security in the Adriatic Sea. The battle is notable for the Roman Republic's increasing involvement in the Greek world and the broader Mediterranean.

Background:

1. Illyrian Pirates:

   • Piracy: The Illyrians, under Queen Teuta, were notorious for their piracy in the Adriatic Sea. Their raids threatened Roman trade routes and the security of Roman allies along the Greek coast.
   • Roman Intervention: In response to these threats, the Roman Republic decided to intervene militarily to protect their interests and allies. This intervention marked one of the early Roman military campaigns outside the Italian Peninsula.

2. First Illyrian War:

   • Roman Campaign: The First Illyrian War (229-228 BCE) began when Rome dispatched a fleet and army to confront the Illyrian threat. Consuls Gnaeus Fulvius Centumalus and Lucius Postumius Albinus led the campaign.
   • Alliances: Rome secured alliances with local Greek states, such as Corcyra (modern Corfu), Apollonia, and Epidamnus (modern Durrës), to strengthen their position against the Illyrians.

The Battle:

1. Location:

   • Paxos: The battle took place near the island of Paxos in the Ionian Sea, close to the larger island of Corcyra. Paxos and its surrounding waters provided a strategic location for controlling sea routes in the Adriatic.

2. Engagement:

   • Roman Fleet: The Roman fleet, comprising quinqueremes (large warships with five rows of oars), was commanded by the consul Gnaeus Fulvius Centumalus. These ships were designed for ramming and boarding actions.
   • Illyrian Fleet: The Illyrian fleet, under the command of Queen Teuta's forces, included swift and maneuverable lembi (light warships used for raiding and piracy).

3. Battle Tactics:

   • Naval Maneuvers: The battle involved complex naval maneuvers, with the Illyrians attempting to use their speed and agility to outflank and harass the larger Roman ships.
   • Roman Strategy: The Romans used their superior ship size and discipline to counter the Illyrians' tactics. They employed ramming and boarding strategies to disable and capture Illyrian ships.

4. Outcome:

   • Roman Victory: The Roman fleet achieved a decisive victory, capturing or sinking many Illyrian ships. This victory significantly weakened the Illyrian naval capabilities and reduced the threat of piracy in the region.
   • Aftermath: The defeat forced Queen Teuta to negotiate peace with Rome. The terms included the restriction of Illyrian naval activity and the establishment of Roman protection over several Greek cities along the Adriatic coast.

Consequences and Significance:

1. Roman Expansion:

   • Influence in the Adriatic: The Battle of Paxos and the broader First Illyrian War marked the beginning of Roman expansion into the eastern Adriatic and Greek world. Rome established a foothold in the region, which would later facilitate further conquests and influence.
   • Securing Trade Routes: By defeating the Illyrian pirates, Rome secured important maritime trade routes, enhancing their economic stability and growth.

2. Diplomatic and Military Impact:

   • Alliances with Greek States: The victory and subsequent peace treaties strengthened Rome's alliances with Greek states. These alliances were crucial for Rome's future campaigns and dominance in the Mediterranean.
   • Military Reputation: The successful naval engagement boosted Rome's military reputation and demonstrated their growing naval capabilities. This was a significant step in Rome's evolution into a major Mediterranean power.

3. Long-Term Effects:

   • Foundation for Future Wars: The First Illyrian War set the stage for future conflicts between Rome and the Hellenistic kingdoms, ultimately leading to Roman hegemony over Greece and the eastern Mediterranean.
   • Integration of Illyria: The region of Illyria eventually became integrated into the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire, contributing to the cultural and political landscape of Roman rule.

Conclusion:

The Battle of Paxos was a crucial naval engagement during the First Illyrian War, marking an important step in Rome's expansion into the Greek world and the Adriatic Sea. The Roman victory over the Illyrian pirates not only secured crucial trade routes but also established Rome as a significant naval power in the region. The battle had lasting consequences for Roman diplomacy, military strategy, and the eventual integration of the eastern Mediterranean into the Roman Empire.

Sources

Scholten, 2000: p. 149.

Polybius (II, 5-6)

Wilkes 1995, pp. 157–159

Ormerod 1997, p. 171.

Gruen 1986, p. 363.

Polybius (II, 8)

Appian, (Illyrian Wars, 7)

Polybius (II, 9, 1-7)

Polybius (II, 9, 8-9)

Polybius (II, 10, 1-2)

Polybius (II, 10, 3-6)

Polybius (II, 10, 7-9)

Mackil, 2012: p. 108

Polybius (II, 11)

Gruen, Erich S. (1986). The Hellenistic World and the Coming of Rome, Volume 1. Berkeley and Los Angeles, California: University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-05737-6.

Mackil, Emily (2012). Creating a common polity religion, economy, and politics in the making of the Greek koinon. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 9780520953932.

Ormerod, Henry Arderne (1997). Piracy in the Ancient World: An Essay in Mediterranean History. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-5505-5.

Scholten, Joseph B. (2000). The Politics of Plunder: Aitolians and Their Koinon in the Early Hellenistic Era, 279-217 B.C. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520916746.

Wilkes, John (1995). The Illyrians. Oxford, United Kingdom: Blackwell Publishers Limited. ISBN 0-631-19807-5.

Greek Warfare