Gaius Atilius Regulus pursued a Carthaginian fleet with ten ships before the rest of his force had formed up. The Carthaginians turned on the isolated squadron, sank nine ships, and nearly captured the commander's vessel before its full rowing complement enabled escape. Once the Roman fleet arrived in line, it captured ten enemy ships and sank others. In Polybius's account, the reversal convinced both sides that they were evenly matched and encouraged greater commitment to naval construction. Land operations in the same period are treated as minor engagements.
Notable Point · 53:22-54:40
The skirmish before Cape Ecnomus
An earlier encounter nearly cost Regulus his squadron before the reunited Roman force reversed the result and convinced both sides that they were evenly matched.