The First Punic War - OverSimplified (Part 2)

(explosion sound) - [Narrator] After the gigantic battle at Cape Ecnomus the Romans were now free to land on African soil, and so they did.

The Carthaginians chose to focus on defending the city of Carthage itself. So the Romans immediately took the city of Aspis and were then free to raid and plunder the countryside.

They took over 20,000 slaves and a ton of booty but then some orders arrived from the Senate. Send home the booty.

D'oh! But I want to stay. No, Steve not you. They mean the treasure. Well, we are not watching anymore this filth.

- [Kids] Aww. - [Narrator] So the other consul left with the booty, leaving Regulus and his forces on their own, and they began advancing towards Carthage.

Along the way, according to the ancient writer, Livy, they encountered a literal dragon. Now Livy was a Roman historian, so his account may be slightly exaggerated.

But this, I believe. As the Romans continued to plunder, the Carthaginian people flooded into the city.

Now, not only was it in a major panic, but it was so crowded, the people began to starve. Don't panic, everyone.

Look, I know you're all starving but I still have food for me. So, you know, it's not all bad. (crowd boos) Whoa, you're wasting your tomatoes and you idiots wonder why you're starving?

Oh, well it's just more food for me. (emperor makes chewing sounds) Things weren't looking good for Carthage.

They had to do something to stop the Romans rampaging throughout their land. So they decided, finally, it was time to put an end to it.

They headed out and set up on rough, hilly terrain overlooking the Roman camp and they prepared for battle.