on the prow of the ship, which could be
lowered in front or on either side. It was furnished on both sides
with parapets, and had space for two men in front. On coming to close
quarters with the enemy, this stage was quickly lowered and fastened to
the opposing ship by means of grappling irons; thus the Roman marines
were enabled to board with ease their opponents' ship, and fight as if
on land.

Four naval battles now followed: 1st, near LIPARA (260); 2d, off MYLAE
(260); 3d, off TYNDARIS (257); 4th, off ECNOMUS (256).

In the first of these only seventeen ships of the Romans were engaged
under the CONSUL GNAEUS CORNELIUS SCIPIO. The fleet with its commander
was captured.

In the second engagement, off Mylae, all the Roman fleet under GAIUS
DUILIUS took part. The Carthaginians were led by Hannibal, son of Gisco.
The newly invented stages or boarding-bridges of the Romans were found
to be very effective. The enemy could not approach near without these
bridges descending with their grappling irons and holding them fast to
the Romans. The Carthaginians were defeated, with the loss of nearly
half their fleet.

A bronze column, ornamented with the beaks of the captured vessels, was
erected at Rome in honor of this victory of Duilius. The pedestal of
it is still standing, and on it are inscribed some of the oldest
inscriptions in the Latin language.

The third engagement, off Tyndaris, resulted in a drawn battle.

In the fourth engagement, off Ecnomus, the Carthaginians had 350
sail. Thirty Carthaginian and twenty-four Roman vessels were sunk, and
sixty-four of the former captured. The Punic fleet withdrew to the coast
of Africa, and prepared in the Bay of Carthage for another battle. But
the Romans sailed to the eastern side of the peninsula which helps to
form the bay, and there landed without opposition.

MARCUS ATILIUS REGULUS was put in command of the Roman forces in
Africa. For a time he was very successful, and the Carthaginians became
disheartened. Many of the towns near Cartilage surrendered, and the
capital itself was in danger. Peace was asked, but the terms offered
were too humiliating to be accepted.

Regulus, who began to despise his opponents, remained inactive at
Tunis, near Carthage, neglecting even to secure a line of retreat to his
fortified camp at Clupea. The next spring (255) he was surprised, his
army cut to pieces, and he himself taken prisoner. He subsequently died
a captive at Carthage.