Thirty Carthaginian and twenty-four Roman vessels were sunk, and
sixty-four of the former captured. The Punic fleet withdrew to the
coast of Africa, and prepared in the Bay of Carthage for another
battle. But the Romans sailed to the eastern side of the peninsula
which helps to form the bay, and there landed without opposition.

MARCUS ATILIUS REGULUS was put in command of the Roman forces in
Africa. For a time he was very successful, and the Carthaginians
became disheartened. Many of the towns near Cartilage surrendered, and
the capital itself was in danger. Peace was asked, but the terms
offered were too humiliating to be accepted.

Regulus, who began to despise his opponents, remained inactive at
Tunis, near Carthage, neglecting even to secure a line of retreat to
his fortified camp at Clupea. The next spring (255) he was surprised,
his army cut to pieces, and he himself taken prisoner. He subsequently
died a captive at Carthage.

The Romans, learning of this defeat, sent a fleet of 350 sail to
relieve their comrades who were shut up in Clupea. While on its way,
it gained a victory over the Carthaginian fleet off the Herméan
promontory, sinking 114 of the enemy's ships.

It arrived at Clupea in time to save its friends. The war in Africa
was now abandoned. The fleet, setting sail for home, was partly
destroyed in a storm, only eighty ships reaching port.

Hostilities continued for six years without any great results.
Panormus was taken in 254; the coast of Africa ravaged in 253;
Thermae and the island of Lipara were taken in 252, and Eryx in 249.