Regulus

(Marcus Atilius)

300–250 BC

REGULUS RETURNS TO ROME

Marcus Atilius Regulus was a legendary martyr of Rome. He was elected consul during the first Punic War, even though his years of military service had passed, and he was at the time, living quietly on his modest farm. Instead of fighting mainly in Sicily and at sea, Regulus had the idea of sending an army to Africa and fighting the Carthaginians on their own turf. He continued with great success until the Carthaginians hired a Spartan mercenary, named Xanthippus to lead their army. He won a great victory over the Romans, and took Regulus captive. After several subsequent battles, the Carthaginians sent Regulus as an envoy to Rome to sue for peace, on terms favorable to Carthage. Instead of advocating the Carthaginian position, however, Regulus recommended to the Romans that they continue to prosecute the war. Although he had ample opportunity to escape, he returned voluntarily to Carthage, where he was treated as a traitor, tortured, and killed.

Key events during the life of Regulus:

Year	Event
267 BC	Elected consul, led the Roman army against Greek settlements in Brundisium.
	Retired to private life, working the land on his own farm.
264 BC	Start of First Punic War.
256 BC	Elected consul again, defeated Carthage at sea, then took war to Africa.
255 BC	Defeated in battle and taken prisoner by the Spartan Xanthippus.
250 BC	Sent to Rome to negotiate peace with Carthage—instead urges Rome to continue resistance.
-	Returned to Carthage, and died in captivity, after tortures.

Other Resources

Story Links	Book Links
First Punic War  in	Hannibal  by  Jacob Abbott
Story of Regulus  in	Fifty Famous Stories Retold  by  James Baldwin
Martyr Patriot  in	Helmet and Spear  by  Alfred J. Church
Beginnings of Empire  in	Stories from Ancient Rome  by  Alfred J. Church
Regulus and the Snake  in	The Story of the Romans  by  H. A. Guerber
Regulus  in	Famous Men of Rome  by  John H. Haaren & A. B. Poland
Battle of Ecnomus  in	The Story of Rome  by  Mary Macgregor
Fate of Regulus  in	Historical Tales: Roman  by  Charles Morris

Image Links
Regulus returns to Rome  in The Story of the Romans	Regulus departing for Carthage, Maccari  in Famous Men of Rome

Contemporary	Short Biography
Hamilcar	Carthage's most able general in first Punic War; father of Hannibal.
Xanthippus	Spartan mercenary general in first Punic War; captured Regulus, led Carthage to victories.