June 218 BC — the Second Punic War
Chapter I · Ad Portas — Ad Portas — the world on the eve.
This month
- Naval battle of Lilybaeum — Thirty-five Punic quinqueremes try Sicily by night; the praetor Aemilius, warned by Hiero, meets them off Lilybaeum and takes seven. The first clash of the war is at sea, and Rome wins it. (Livy 21.49–50)
Where the commanders stand
- Philip V of Macedon: In Pella · king of macedon
- Hannibal Barca: Encamped at Saguntum · since Summer 218 BC