Extension as Proconsul
After his consulship ended, Catulus received proconsular authority so that he could continue directing the war against Carthage without interruption.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Gaius Lutatius Catulus Biography and Timeline
Follow Gaius Lutatius Catulus through 23 dated historical records for Roman Empire.
Gaius Lutatius Catulus, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
23Distinct records
1 of 1Page
241–242Years on this page
241
Negotiations with Hamilcar Barca
Catulus negotiated with representatives of Hamilcar Barca to establish terms that would end more than two decades of warfare between Rome and Carthage.
Opening of Peace Negotiations
After the naval defeat left Carthage unable to continue the war effectively, Catulus entered negotiations for a settlement with the Carthaginian command in Sicily.
Revision by Ten-Man Commission
A commission of ten Roman senators revised the peace terms into a stricter settlement while preserving Catulus's association with the treaty.
Senate Rejects Initial Treaty
The Roman Senate declined to ratify Catulus's first version of the peace settlement and sent a commission to review its provisions.
Treaty of Lutatius
Catulus agreed the initial peace settlement later known as the Treaty of Lutatius, bringing the First Punic War to a close on Roman terms.
Triumph for Naval Victory
The Senate awarded Catulus a triumph for the naval victory over Carthage, formally celebrating the campaign that ended the First Punic War.
Battle of the Aegates
The Roman fleet under Catulus's overall command defeated the Carthaginian fleet at the Aegates Islands on 10 March 241 BC.
Capture of Carthaginian Ships
Roman forces captured numerous Carthaginian vessels and thousands of prisoners during the decisive victory off western Sicily.
Delegation of Battle Command
Because of his wound, Catulus delegated immediate battlefield command to Quintus Valerius Falto while retaining overall authority for the campaign.
Destruction of Carthaginian Fleet
The victory at the Aegates destroyed or captured a large part of the Carthaginian relief fleet and ended Carthage's ability to sustain the naval contest.
Interception of Carthaginian Relief Fleet
Catulus prepared the Roman fleet to intercept a Carthaginian relief force sailing toward Sicily with supplies for Hamilcar Barca and the remaining garrisons.
Wounded before Aegates
Catulus was wounded shortly before the decisive naval engagement, preventing him from exercising direct tactical command during the battle.
242
Appointment of Valerius Falto
The Senate assigned the praetor Quintus Valerius Falto to serve as Catulus's second-in-command for the renewed Roman naval campaign.
Consul
Appointed Consul
Election as Novus Homo
In 242 BC, Gaius Lutatius Catulus entered the consulship as a novus homo, reaching Rome's highest annual magistracy without belonging to an established consular family.
Private Financing of Fleet
The fleet used in Catulus's campaign was financed largely through contributions from wealthy Roman citizens because the prolonged war had exhausted the public treasury.
Capture of Marsala
Captures Marsala
Command of New Roman Fleet
Catulus took charge of a newly constructed Roman fleet intended to restore maritime superiority after years of costly naval warfare.
Command of Roman Legions
Catulus assumed command of the Roman legions assigned to the Sicilian theater and coordinated their operations with the fleet.
Departure for Sicily
Catulus sailed for Sicily with Roman troops and a newly raised fleet to intensify pressure on the remaining Carthaginian positions on the island.
Sicilian Command
Because his consular colleague was prevented from leaving Rome, Catulus received primary responsibility for directing Roman operations against Carthage in Sicily.
Siege of Trapani
Blockades the port of Trapani
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.