 When they met in the Battle of Cape Ecnomus, the Carthaginians took the initiative, hoping their superior ship handling skills would tell.After a day of prolonged and confused fighting the Carthaginians were defeated, losing 30 ships sunk and 64 captured to Roman losses of 24 ships sunk.After the victory the Roman army, commanded by Regulus, landed in Africa near Aspis (modern Kelibia) on the Cape Bon Peninsula and began ravaging the Carthaginian countryside and after a brief siege, Aspis was captured.