Battle of Carteia

Part of the Second Punic War

Date	206 BC
Location	Carteia
Result	Roman victory

Belligerents

Roman Republic

Carthage

Commanders and leaders

Gaius Laelius

Adherbal

Strength

1 quinquereme
7 triremes

1 quinquereme
8 triremes

The Battle of Carteia was a naval battle of the Second Punic War, fought between the navy of the Roman Republic and the of Carthage in 206 BC near the ancient city of Carteia in southern Spain. The Roman navy was commanded by Gaius Laelius and the Carthaginian navy by Adherbal. The battle resulted in a Roman victory.

After the Carthaginian defeat at the Battle of Ilipa, the Turdetani, previously in revolt, flocked to the Roman banner. Hasdrubal Gisco and Mago were immediately thereafter confined with their troops to Gadir which was strategically placed in a way that did not facilitate a Roman assault. Following the Revolt of Sucro and the Revolt of Indíbil and Mandonio, Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus sent away with the weakened portion of his army to augment his marching speed. Gaius Lucius marched along the Guadalquivir to the river mouth where he encountered the Carthaginian general Hanno who was attempting to recruit mercenaries for Mago Barca. The Battle of Guadalquivir ensued resulting in another Carthaginian defeat.

Gaius Laelius was at this time, in command of a small fleet of one Quinquereme and seven Triremes. He sailed to the port of Carteia where the local Punic population conspired to provide access to their city to the Romans. Mago Barca discovered their conspiracy and the responsible parties were detained, locked up and deported to Carthage by a fleet commanded by Adherbal, the governor of Gades. This fleet was composed of one quinquereme and eight triremes.

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