Battle of Adys
| date | 255 BC Chr. |
|---|---|
| place | 20 km south of Carthage |
| output | Victory of the Romans |
| Parties to the conflict | |
|---|---|
| Commander | |
| Troop strength | |
| 15,000 infantry, 500 cavalry | more than 5,000 infantry,
500 cavalry and an unknown number of elephants |
| losses | |
|
Minimal losses |
Bulk of the infantry |
Agrigento - Mylae - Aeolian Islands - Sulci - Tyndaris - Cape Ecnomus - Aspis - Adys - Tunes - Cape Bon - Panormus - Drepana I - Drepana II - Aegatic Islands
The Battle of Adys in 255 BC BC was the first major battle in the First Punic War between the Romans and the Carthaginians , which was fought on African soil. The Romans won this battle.
prehistory
The landing of the Romans in what is now Tunisia became possible after the beginning of 256 BC. BC the Carthaginian fleet off the south coast of Sicily could be defeated in the battle of Cape Ecnomus . Thereupon the landing troops under Marcus Atilius Regulus were deposited at the city of Clupea (today: Kélibia ), while the fleet returned home under Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus .
In view of the threat in their own country, the Carthaginians immediately recalled their general Hamilcar from Sicily , while the Romans were able to conquer one place after another in Africa. The legendary tradition reports that the Roman army was haunted by a giant snake, which was defeated by Marcus Atilius Regulus; Polybios , the most important source of the African campaign, does not report anything about this.
course
The first major battle took place at Adys, the exact location of which is not entirely clear; possibly Uthina , around 20 km south of Carthage . There the Carthaginians held a fortified position on a hill. This had the disadvantage for them that, unlike in a battle on the plain, their cavalry and elephants could hardly develop. The Carthaginian army nevertheless attempted an advance against the Romans, but ventured too far forward and was overwhelmed. The surviving Carthaginians turned to flee, the Carthaginian camp of Adys fell into the hands of the Romans. Soon afterwards they succeeded in taking the city of Tunis , so that the Carthaginians were practically enclosed in their capital, Carthage.
consequences
In this situation the Carthaginians asked for peace. Marcus Atilius Regulus only wanted to accept this under such harsh conditions that Carthage decided to keep fighting. With the help of the Spartan mercenary leader Xanthippos , they finally managed to turn the tide.