Battle of Adys

500 cavalry and an unknown number of elephants

Agrigento - Mylae - Aeolian Islands - Sulci - Tyndaris - Cape Ecnomus - Aspis - Ady - Tunes - Cape Bon - Panormus - Drepana I - Drepana II - Ägatische Islands

The Battle of Ady in the year 255 BC was the first major battle of the First Punic War between the Romans and the Carthaginians, which was held on African soil. The Romans were able to decide this battle.

Prehistory

The Landing of the Romans in present-day Tunisia was made ​​possible after the beginning of 256 BC, the Carthaginian fleet was defeated off the southern coast of Sicily, at the Battle of Cape Ecnomus. Then the landing troops under Marcus Atilius Regulus were in the city Clupea (now Kélibia ) is issued while the fleet returned home under Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus.

Given the threat in their own country appealed the Carthaginians immediately their general Hamilcar from Sicily back, while the Romans were able to conquer a place after another in Africa. The legendary tradition reported that the Roman army had been ravaged by a giant snake, which was defeated by Marcus Atilius Regulus; However, Polybius, the main source of African campaign reported nothing of this.

Course

Then to first major battle occurred in Ady, whose exact location is not fully understood; maybe it is Uthina, about 20 km south of Carthage. There, the Carthaginians held a fortified position on a hill. This had the disadvantage that, unlike in a battle in the plane, their cavalry and elephants could hardly come to unfold for them. The Carthaginian army yet attempted a sortie against the Romans, but it ventured too far and could be overwhelmed. The surviving Carthaginians turned to flee, the Carthaginian camp by Ady fell into the hands of the Romans. This succeeded soon after the capture of the city of Tunis, so that the Carthaginians were virtually trapped in their capital Carthage.

Follow

In this situation, the Carthaginians sued for peace. Marcus Atilius Regulus wanted this but accept only under such harsh conditions that Carthage decided to continue fighting. With the help of the Spartan mercenary leader Xanthippos succeeded them finally turn the tide.

• Battle of the Punic Wars
• 255 BC