The vanquished Hannibal was disgraced by his country; whereas the victorious Roman was honoured and rewarded by the senate, who were fully sensible of all the advantages derived by a naval victory over the Carthaginians.  The high and distinguished honour of being attended, when he returned from supper, with music and torches, which was granted for once only to those who triumphed, was continued to Duilius during life.  To perpetuate the memory of this victory, medals were struck, and the pillar, to which we have already alluded, was erected in the forum.  This pillar, called Columna Rostrata, from the beaks of the ships which were fastened to it, was discovered in the year 1560, and placed in the capital.

In the year after this splendid victory the Romans resolved to attempt the reduction of Corsica and Sardinia; for this purpose L. Cornelius Scipio sailed with a squadron under his command.  He easily succeeded in reducing Corsica; but it appears, from an inscription on a stone which was dug up in the year 1615, in Rome, that he encountered a violent storm off the coast of that island, in which his fleet was exposed to imminent danger.  The words of the inscription are, “He took the city of Aleria and conquered Corsica, and built a temple to the tempests, with very good reason.”  This storm is not mentioned in any of the ancient authors.  Scipio was obliged to be more cautious in his attempts on Sardinia, but afterwards the Romans succeeded in gaining possession of this island.

The Romans having thus acquired Corsica and Sardinia, and all the maritime towns of Sicily, determined to invade, or at least to alarm, the African dominions of Carthage.  Accordingly Sulpicius, who commanded their fleet, circulated a report that he intended to sail for the coasts of Africa:  this induced the Carthaginians to put to sea; but after the hostile fleets had approached each other, and were about to engage, a storm arose and separated them, and obliged them both to take shelter in the ports of Sardinia.  As soon as it abated, Sulpicius put to sea again, surprised the Carthaginians, and captured or destroyed most of their ships.

Five years after the victory of Duilius, the Romans were able to put to sea a fleet of 330 covered gallies.  Ten of these were sent to reconnoitre the enemy, but approaching too near, they were attacked and destroyed.  This unfortunate event did not discourage the consul Attilius Regulus, who commanded:  on the contrary, he resolved to wipe off this disgrace by signalizing his consulship in a remarkable manner.  He was ordered by the senate to cross the Mediterranean, and invade Carthage.  The Roman fleet, which consisted of 330 galleys, on board of each of which were 120 soldiers and 300 rowers, was stationed at Messina:  from this port they took their departure, stretching along the coast of Sicily, till they doubled Cape Pachynum, after which they sailed directly to Ecnomos.  The Carthaginian fleet consisted of 360 sail, and