Three separate battles and Roman relief

In Polybius's account, Ecnomus became three separate battles fought some distance apart. The opposing forces were roughly equal in each local contest, and the first engagement produced the first decision. When the Carthaginian centre broke, Manlius secured the captures while Regulus took undamaged ships to support the triarii squadron and horse transports. Manlius then joined Regulus to aid the third squadron pinned near the coast. This sequence makes the consuls' return decisive in turning a local success into victory across the fleet. The familiar narrative of a general's arrival immediately renewing his troops' strength is a reason to question how that success is presented.