3 – Battle of Bagradas (Tunis) (255 BC)
The Carthaginians were in danger of losing the war because they had no idea how to combat the Roman tactic of using corvii to board ships. After yet another significant Roman naval victory at Ecnomus in 256 BC, they landed on Carthaginian soil at Clupea. Defeat seemed inevitable until Rome inexplicably recalled half its army and fleet; an act that mystifies historians and proved costly. Perhaps the Senate felt that any attack on Carthage could wait until winter ended.
Regardless, a Roman army under the command of Regulus won a land battle near Tunis and occupied the city in 256/255 BC. By now, Carthage was ready to surrender, and negotiations commenced between the two combatants. However, according to Polybius, the Romans demanded terms so harsh that the Carthaginians decided they would be better off taking their chances and fighting on. The terms included Carthage completely giving up Sicily. The Carthaginians built up its army over the winter of 255 BC; it included Greek mercenaries. After the Spartan general Xanthippus criticized the Punic commanders, he was given leadership of the army.
Xanthippus quickly proved his worth and trained the army to the high Hellenistic standard. By spring, he had an army equal to that of the Romans and the two enemies met once again, this time at the Battle of Bagradas, also known as the Battle of Tunis. Xanthippus made use of his superior cavalry by overwhelming the Roman equivalent after a successful war elephant charge. Eventually, the Carthaginian forces defeated the Romans on both sides and forced a retreat. According to Polybius, 12,000 Romans died at Bagradas against just 800 Carthaginians.
It was a crushing defeat for Rome, and Regulus died soon afterward; ancient historians disagree as to the cause. Some writers suggest he was captured and had his eyelids cut off before execution. Polybius does not mention this and Diodorus says Regulus died from natural causes. From the verge of victory, Rome was once again embroiled in a fierce conflict that lasted for another 14 years.