Battle of Myonessus

Battle of Myonessus
Part of the Roman–Seleucid War

Relief of a Rhodian galley
DateSeptember 190 BC
Location
Off Myonessus (modern day Turkey)
38°01′28″N 26°30′42″E / 38.0244°N 26.5118°E / 38.0244; 26.5118
Result Roman-Rhodian victory
Belligerents
Roman Republic
Rhodes
Seleucid Empire
Commanders and leaders
Lucius Aemilius Regillus
Eudamus
Polyxenidas
Strength
80 ships 89 ships
Casualties and losses
2 ships sunk
1 ship captured
29 ships sunk
13 ships captured
Battle of Myonessus is located in Turkey
Battle of Myonessus
Approximate location of the Battle of Myonessus

The Battle of Myonessus took place in September 190 BC. It was fought as part of the Roman–Seleucid War, pitting the fleets of the Roman Republic led by Admiral Lucius Aemilius Regillus and its Rhodian allies under Eudamus against a Seleucid fleet of Polyxenidas.

Polyxenidas attacked his adversaries as they were putting to sea between Myonessus and the Corycus peninsula. The Roman–Rhodian fleet withstood the first assault, managing to assume battle formation. Eudamus then led the Rhodian squadron to the right flank of the Romans, thwarting a Seleucid attempt at encirclement and overpowering the Seleucid seaward wing. Polyxenidas withdrew, having lost half of his fleet. The battle cemented Roman control over the Aegean Sea, enabling them to launch an invasion of Seleucid Asia Minor.