History of Wars Summary 15 - First Punic War Part 4: African Campaign and Regulus

Following their victory at the Battle of Mylae, Rome felt the need to directly pressure Carthage's homeland. In 256 BC, Rome assembled a large fleet and sailed to Africa, once again defeating the Carthaginian fleet in a naval battle. The Roman army landed on the North African coast and advanced inland, with the army led by Consul Marcus Atilius Regulus threatening Carthage. As the war reached Carthaginian territory, Carthage attempted peace negotiations, but deemed Rome's proposed terms too harsh and continued the war. Subsequently, Carthage hired Xanthippus, a Spartan mercenary commander, who reorganized the Carthaginian forces and exploited the weaknesses of the Roman army. In 255 BC, at the Battle of the Bagradas River, the Carthaginian army decisively defeated Regulus's forces and captured him. Although the African campaign failed, the war's focus remained on Sicily and the Western Mediterranean.