In my studies of history, I often find myself amazed by Rome's accomplishments. They were serious doers! Not that they didn't value eloquence, mind you. Cato the Elder famously coined the phrase, “Carthago delenda est” (Carthage must be destroyed), during the Third Punic War a century later, for example. But the Romans were also big fans of putting one's money where one's mouth is.
A thousand years before Britannia, it was Carthage who ruled the waves. The Romans decided they weren't going to stand for that. Up until then, Rome's forces were primarily land-based. Determined to win the war, they quickly (as in, two months) built a fleet of ships, and invented new tactics in the process. As a result, Rome not only won, but also became the dominant power on the Mediterranean. The islands of Sicily and Sardinia fell under Rome's control, while Carthage experienced social unrest, both from within and without.
How does this fit into our story? Glad you asked.
It seems Rome and Carthage were destined to be enemies (Smooth move, Æneas, playing Queen Dido like that!), but what if they had to work together? As in, if they didn't, they'd both face destruction? And how the heck could that ever happen?
Enter our mysterious dark ships on the eastern horizon. They've even got Atlantis quaking in her boots. But more on them later.
The other component is the Roman naval hero, Gauis Duilius—Marcus' father. Think of him as the Roman version of Britain's Nelson. He won Rome's first naval victory at the Battle of Mylae. For this achievement, he was awarded a triumphal procession through Rome, and later a column was erected in his honor at the Forum.
Wish I could have been there. I'm sure it was glorious! Trumpets and fanfare, petals floating on the air, the roar of the crowd cheering you on, the dude standing behind you reminding you of your mortality... Not bad for a man of humble origins! Knowing all of that, now we can get a better idea of our boy Marcus' predicament. It's a tall order to top daddy's achievements, after all.
For more information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punic_Wars
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaius_Duilius
http://www.attalus.org/docs/cil/honorary.html#351
http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/A-Am/Aeneas.html
Vergil's Aeneid