The Battle of the Aegates took place in 241 BC during the First Punic War between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian Empire. This naval battle occurred near the Aegates Islands, off the western coast of Sicily. The Romans, led by Admiral Gaius Lutatius Catulus, aimed to secure control over the Mediterranean Sea and defeat Carthage's naval forces. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for Rome, marking a turning point in the war. Following this defeat, Carthage sought peace, leading to the Treaty of Lilybaeum in 241 BC. This treaty ended the First Punic War and established Roman dominance in Sicily.