Marcus Atilius Regulus was a Roman statesman and general who lived during the 3rd century BC. He is best known for his role in the First Punic War against Carthage. Regulus was captured by the Carthaginians and later returned to Rome on a promise to negotiate a peace treaty. However, he urged the Roman Senate to reject the terms, as he believed they were not in Rome's best interest. As a result, he willingly returned to Carthage, where he met a tragic fate. Regulus' unwavering commitment to his principles and his willingness to sacrifice himself for the good of Rome have made him a legendary figure in Roman history.