Although many sources call it battle of Cartagena, the battle did not take place at Cartagena but on the coast of Roman Carthaginensis province at Portus Ilicitanus (today Santa Pola)[1][2][4] in the bay of Alicante.

Majorian then began to assemble a fleet at Portus Ilicitanus (near Ilici),[1][2][3][8][4] with which he intended to invade the Vandal Kingdom in North Africa.

The Roman navy was totally destroyed, ending any hope of reconquering North Africa.

Mense Maio Majorianus Hispanias ingreditur imperator: quo Carthaginiensem provinciam pertendente, aliquantas naves quas sibi ad transitum adversum Wandalos praeparabat, de littore Carthaginiensi commoniti Wandali per proditores abripiunt.

Majorianus ita sua ordinatione frustratus ad Italiam revertitur.