Different Ending to Battle of the Aegadian Islands

[Sanderford]

During the First Punic War, a Roman fleet managed to ambush a Carthaginian fleet off the Aegadian Islands as it was heading to Sicily, ships loaded to the brim with supplies meant for Hamilcar Barca's army. Due to the immense weight of these supplies, the Carthaginians were outdone, and the much-needed supplies lost, forcing Hamilcar to leave Sicily to Rome.

Now, suppose for a moment the Romans had arrived later, and encountered a Carthaginian fleet which had already unloaded the supplies. Carthaginians had usually outdone the Romans at sea, due to more experience and tactics more suited to naval warfare, and it is largely believed the Romans only won in the seas around the Aegadian Islands because the Carhtaginians weren't looking for a fight and had packed holds. In this alternative timeline, they're not hampered by this, and even if the Romans still defeat them, Hamilcar is in possession of the supplies he needs.

How do you think this would affect the First Punic War's course and outcome?

 

[ThomasG]

Minor Roman victory or draw. A few heads roll among the Republic of Carthage's navy for letting the fleet sit idle for nine months while the Romans rebuilt their fleet and the fight continues for another ten years when Rome is utterly exhausted in terms of manpower.

 

[Sanderford]

Minor Roman victory or draw. A few heads roll among the Republic of Carthage's navy for letting the fleet sit idle for nine months while the Romans rebuilt their fleet and the fight continues for another ten years when Rome is utterly exhausted in terms of manpower.

Do I understand you, then, to mean the Romans would have maybe forced a draw at the Islands, and the conflict overall would have continued until a badly exhausted Rome didn't have any more soldiers?

 

[burning down one side]

Hamilcar with a navy

Well, suppose further that the Carthaginian fleet barely makes it to shore before the Roman fleet shows up. The supplies are unloaded and Hamilcar with his army are uploaded. Hamilcar's navy defeats the Roman navy in a tightly contested battle, then continues his guerilla war in Sicily. Eventually he does wear the Romans out. The two contestants settle for basically the pre-war status quo.

 

[Sanderford]

Well, suppose further that the Carthaginian fleet barely makes it to shore before the Roman fleet shows up. The supplies are unloaded and Hamilcar with his army are uploaded. Hamilcar's navy defeats the Roman navy in a tightly contested battle, then continues his guerilla war in Sicily. Eventually he does wear the Romans out. The two contestants settle for basically the pre-war status quo.

Interesting possibility. One wonders, how might things have gone from there?