+3.+ This was the signal for the recommencement of the war in a fiercer
and more angry spirit than before. The Romans on their part, looking
upon themselves as having been treated with perfidy, were possessed
with a furious determination to conquer the Carthaginians; while the
latter, conscious of the consequences of what they had done, were
ready to go all lengths to avoid falling under the power of the enemy.
With such feelings animating both sides, it was quite evident that the
result would have to be decided on the field of battle. Consequently
everybody, not only in Italy and Libya, but in Iberia, Sicily, and
Sardinia, was in a state of excited expectation, watching with
conflicting feelings to see what would happen. But meanwhile Hannibal,
finding himself too weak in cavalry, sent to a certain Numidian named
Tychaeus, who was a friend of Syphax, and was reputed to possess the
most warlike cavalry in Libya, urging him “to lend his aid, and not
let the present opportunity slip; as he must be well aware that, if
the Carthaginians won the day, he would be able to maintain his rule;
but if the Romans proved victorious, his very life would be in danger,
owing to the ambition of Massanissa.” This prince was convinced by
these arguments, and joined Hannibal with two thousand horsemen.
[Sidenote: B.C. 202. Scipio traverses the Carthaginian territory, and
summons Massanissa to his aid.]
+4.+ Having secured his fleet, Scipio left Baebius in command of it in
his place, while he himself went a round of the cities. This time he
did not admit to mercy those who voluntarily surrendered, but carried
all the towns by force, and enslaved the inhabitants, to show his
anger at the treachery of the Carthaginians. To Massanissa he sent
message after message, explaining to him how the Punic government had
broken the terms, and urging him to collect the largest army he was
able and join him with all speed. For as soon as the treaty had been
made, Massanissa, as I have said, had immediately departed with his
own army and ten Roman cohorts, infantry and cavalry, accompanied by
some commissioners from Scipio, that he might not only recover his
own kingdom, but secure the addition of that of Syphax also, by the
assistance of the Romans. And this purpose was eventually effected.
[Sidenote: Scipio orders the Carthaginian envoys to be released.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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