Regulus_1

Regulus, Marcus Atilius, Roman hero, was sent to Africa in 256 B.C. in command of an expedition, and conquered Tunis. He was defeated by the Carthaginians, who kept him a prisoner for several years, finally sending him to Rome to offer peace, on the understanding that he should return if unsuccessful. Owing to his strong advice, the terms of peace were refused, and he returned heroically to Carthage, where he suffered a terrible death. Some historians believe that the account of his death was invented by the Romans to excuse their cruelty towards the Carthaginian prisoners.