Regulus, Marcus Atilius

Died circa 248 B.C. Roman military commander and political figure.

As consul in 267 B.C., Regulus conquered Brundisium. During the First Punic War and his second term as consul, he won a victory in 256 over the Carthaginians at Cape Ecnomus and commanded the military operations of the Romans in Africa. He won a victory near Clupea, but in the spring of 255 the army of Regulus was routed by the Carthaginians at Tunis, near Carthage. Regulus died in captivity.