[256 BC.]

Atilius Regulus, consul, having overcome the Carthaginians in a sea-fight, passes over into Africa: kills a serpent of prodigious magnitude, with great loss of his own men.

[255 BC.]

The senate, on account of his successful conduct of the war, not appointing him a successor, he writes to them, complaining; and, among other reasons for desiring to be recalled, alledges, that his little farm, being all his subsistence, was going to ruin, owing to the mismanagement of hired stewards.
[Y.R. 498. B.C. 254.]
A memorable instance of the instability of fortune exhibited in the person of Regulus, who is overcome in battle, and taken prisoner by Xanthippus, a Lacedaemonian general.

[253 BC.]

The Roman fleet shipwrecked; which disaster entirely reverses the good fortune which had hitherto attended their affairs. Titus Corucanius, the first high priest chosen from among the commons.

[252 BC.]

Publius Sempronius Sophus and Marcus Valerius Maximus, censors, examine into the state of the senate, and expel thirteen of the members of that body.

[251 BC.]

They hold a lustrum, and find the number of citizens to be two hundred and ninety-seven thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven.

[250 BC.]

Gaius Regulus being sent by the Carthaginians to Rome to treat for peace, and an exchange of prisoners, binds himself by oath to return if these objects be not attained; dissuades the senate from agreeing to the propositions: and then, in observance of his oath, returning to Carthage, is put to death by torture.

Events: Atilius Regulus defeats the Carthaginians and lands in Africa, Atilius Regulus defeated and taken prisoner, The Roman fleet shipwrecked, Peace negotiations with the Carthaginians. Regulus executed,