 Despite this victory, the Romanswho were attempting to support simultaneous offensives against both Sardinia and Sicilywere unable to exploit it, and the attack on Sardinia petered out.In 257 BC the Roman fleet happened to be anchored off Tyndaris in north east Sicily when the Carthaginian fleet, unaware of its presence, sailed past in loose formation.The Roman commander, Gaius Atilius Regulus, ordered an immediate attack, initiating the Battle of Tyndaris.