The maritime importance of Etruria was wholly gone;( 6) the hitherto Etruscan island of Corsica, if it did not quite pass into the possession, fell under the maritime supremacy, of the Carthaginians.

Tarentum, which for a time had played a considerable part, had its power broken by the Roman occupation.

The brave Massiliots maintained their ground in their own waters; but they exercised no material influence over the course of events in those of Italy.

The other maritime cities hardly came as yet into serious account.
Decline of the Roman Naval Power Rome itself was not exempt from a similar fate; its own waters were likewise commanded by foreign fleets.

It was indeed from the first a maritime city, and in the period of its vigour never was so untrue to its ancient traditions as wholly to neglect its war marine or so foolish as to desire to be a mere continental power.