IX, 4.--In the course of the same period both Sicily and Sardinia had become openly hostile. But the disturbance in these regions soon subsided. [Sidenote: B.C. 215 (_a.u._ 539)] Hasdrubal, who was aiding them, was captured and Manlius Torquatus recovered almost the entire island. For the time being affairs in Sicily were quiet, but afterward disturbance reigned anew. King Philip of Macedonia showed himself a most open partisan of the Carthaginians. In his desire to add Greece to his possessions he made an agreement with Hannibal that they should conduct the war in common, and that the Carthaginians should get Italy but he should have Greece and Epirus together with the islands. The agreement was made on this basis, but through the capture of the herald who had been sent to Hannibal by Philip the Romans learned what was taking place and forthwith despatched the praetor Marcus Valerius Laevinus[30] against him. They intended to make him anxious about internal affairs, so that he should stay at home. The plan worked. [Sidenote: B.C. 214 (_a.u._ 540)] Philip had progressed as far as Corcyca with the intention of sailing to Italy, but on learning that Laevinus was already at Brundusium he returned home. When Laevinus had sailed as far as Corcyca, Philip set out against the Roman allies; he had captured Oricum and was besieging Apollonia. Laevinus made an expedition against him anew, recovered Oricum and rescued Apollonia. Then Philip after burning the ships which he had used retired homewards overland. [Footnote 30: Zonaras consistently spells this name _Lavinius_.]