Which of the two combatants had naval superiority in the early stages of the Punic Wars?CarthageRomeMessinaSyracuseSubmit

In the early stages of the Punic Wars, Carthage had naval superiority. This was largely due to its extensive experience in maritime trade and warfare, along with a powerful navy that was well-equipped and trained for naval operations. Carthage, being a dominant sea power in the western Mediterranean, utilized its naval strength to secure control over trade routes and to project military force across the Mediterranean.

Rome, initially lacking a strong navy, had to quickly adapt and build its own fleet to compete with Carthage. This led to significant innovations in naval warfare for Rome, particularly the development of the corvus, a boarding device that allowed Roman soldiers to engage in hand-to-hand combat on enemy ships.

However, during the initial phase of the conflict, Carthage retained an advantage at sea until Rome effectively mobilized its resources and constructed a formidable fleet. Thus, at the onset, Carthage was the predominant naval power.