Battle of Adys The Battle of Adys ( or Adis ) was fought in 255 BC between Carthage and a Roman army led by Marcus Atilius Regulus . Regulus inflicted a crushing defeat upon the Carthaginians , who then sued for peace . However , the First Punic War would continue because the terms offered by Regulus were so harsh that the people of Carthage resolved to keep fighting . Background . In 256 BC , a Roman army under consuls Lucius Manlius Vulso and Marcus Atilius Regulus invaded the Carthaginian homeland in Africa . The Roman army soon forced the capitulation of Clupea , a town 40 miles east of Carthage . After setting up defences for the city and gathering some 20 , 000 slaves and herds of cattle from the countryside , they received instructions from Rome that Vulso was to set sail for Rome , taking most of the fleet , including all the transports , with him . Regulus , on the other hand , was to stay with 15 , 000 infantry and 500 cavalry . By now , Carthage had recalled the general Hamilcar and his 5 , 000 Infantry and 500 cavalry from Sicily to join with generals Bostar and Hasdrubal in Africa . The army consisted of mercenaries , African light infantry , militia , cavalry , and elephants . The combined Carthaginian force set about organizing the defences of Adis , a city 40 miles southeast of Carthage , that was now under threat of a Roman siege . Despite possessing superior cavalry and elephants , the Carthaginians took up position on a hill overlooking the plain of Adis . The lack of training and decentralized command structure reflected poorly for the effectiveness of the army . The Carthaginians determined to resist and not allow further destruction by the Romans . Battle . Unknown to the Carthaginians , the Romans quickly deployed their force around the hill under cover of darkness , and attacked from two sides at dawn . The Carthaginians held their ground in a stalemate for a while , and even pushed back a Roman legion . This gap in the battle lines allowed for the unchallenged elephants and Carthaginian cavalry to escape . But eventually the Carthaginians were crushed and fled the site . The Romans pursued for some time , and then looted the enemy camp . Encountering no resistance , the Roman army continued on a march to Carthage , stopping at Tunis . Aftermath . This defeat caused great turmoil in Carthage . The Numidians rose up against their overlords and refugees from the countryside flooded the city . This great population increase coupled with a ravaged countryside led to a food crisis and the possibility of an outbreak of disease . Despite these threats , Regulus and his army of two legions had little chance of reducing the city without reinforcements . Worse , his consulship would soon be up and he would not receive the glory for ending the war . Negotiations ensued between the parties with Regulus demanding that Carthage cede Sicily , Corsica and Sardinia , renounce their navy , pay an indemnity , and sign a vassal - like treaty . However , Carthage refused . Assessment . The opening move of the Carthaginians to create a fortified position on the hill could have ultimately helped their position . The base was sound , but the natural features ( ravines and rugged outcrops ) neutralized the most potent element of the Carthaginians land forces , their cavalry and elephants . Consequently , the Roman army saw an opportunity to exploit their heavy infantry to smash the trapped enemy .