heraclius of edessa and marcellinus led troops from roman egypt against geiseric of the vandals in 468. their forces had successfully captured sardinia and a number of cities in tripolitania. they were marching to carthage, the capital of the vandals, when the main roman force under basiliscus was ambushed and defeated by geiseric. one half of the roman fleet was burned, sunk, or captured, and the other half followed the fugitive basiliscus. the whole expedition had failed. heraclius effected his retreat through the desert into tripolitania, holding the position for two years until recalled; marcellinus retired to sicily.