The battle of Adys was fought in late 255 BC during the First Punic War between a Roman army led by Marcus Atilius Regulus and a Carthaginian army jointly commanded by Bostar, Hamilcar and Hasdrubal. The Romans had successfully invaded Carthage's homeland in North Africa and left Regulus with 15,500 men to hold their lodgement over the winter. Regulus advanced on and besieged the city of Adys. The Carthaginian army established itself on a rocky hill nearby. Regulus had his forces execute night marches to launch dawn assaults on the Carthaginians' fortified hilltop camp. One part of the Roman force was repulsed and pursued down the hill. After the other part charged the pursuing Carthaginians in the rear and routed them, the remaining Carthaginians panicked and fled. Despairing, the Carthaginians sued for peace, but the terms Regulus offered were so harsh that they resolved to fight on. A few months later at the battle of Tunis Regulus was decisively beaten. (Full article...)