A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

1. C.SemproniusTi. F. TI. N. BLAESUS, consul in B. C. 253 in the first Punic war, sailed with his colleague, Cn. Servilius Caepio, with a fleet of 260 ships to the coast of Africa, which they laid waste in frequent descents, and from which they obtained great booty. They did not, however, accomplish anything of note; and in the lesser Syrtis, through the ignorance of the pilots, their ships ran aground, and only got off, upon the return of the tide, by throwing everything overboard. This disaster induced them to return to Sicily, and in their voyage from thence to Italy they were overtaken off cape Palinurus by a tremendous storm, in which 150 ships perished. Notwithstanding these misfortunes, each of them obtained a triumph for their successes in Africa, as we learn from the Fasti. (Plb. 1.39; Eutrop. 2.23; Oros. 4.9; Zonar. 8.14.) Blaesus was consul a second time, in 244 (Fasti Capit.), in which year a colony was founded at Brundusium. (Vell. 1.14.)