Final answer:
In the 1st Punic War, Carthage had a considerable navy and a lesser army. This advantage was overturned by Roman innovation in naval combat, leading to a significant land-based victory for Rome.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 1st Punic War, Carthage had a big navy (fleet) and a smaller army. The First Punic War, which lasted from 264-241 BCE, was characterized by the struggle for control over Sicily between Rome and Carthage. Despite having the largest fleet at the time, which gave Carthage an initial advantage in naval engagements, their smaller army could not achieve the same level of dominance on land. The Romans, skilled in land warfare, ultimately prevailed by innovating in naval techniques, such as using the corvus to bridge onto Carthaginian ships and transform the sea battles into the more familiar land battles where they excelled. The conflict ended with a Roman victory, resulting in Carthage ceding Sicily to Rome and marking the beginning of a series of wars known as the Punic Wars.