Regulus

a celebrated Roman general. He died about 250 B. C. He commanded the Roman forces in the First Punic War. In 256 he defeated the Carthaginian fleet, invaded Africa, and besieged Carthage. In the following year his army was defeated by the Carthaginians and he was taken prisoner. According to tradition, resting entirely on Roman authority, he was released on parole and sent to Rome to treat for peace, with the understanding that, if he induced his countrymen to accept liberty, he should be released; if not, he should return to Carthage. Instead of persuading the Roman Senate to accept the terms of the Carthaginians, he is said to have encouraged them to prosecute the war. On going back to Carthage he was put to death barbarously. His fate was avenged by his family, who inflicted similar tortures on two noble Carthaginians in their power. It has been suggested that the Carthaginians met their fate as described, and that the story of Regulus was invented by his family to justify Roman cruelty to Carthaginian prisoners. See Punic War; Scipio; Carthage