23.34
These
were, in effect, the terms on which the treaty was concluded between the
Carthaginian general and the King of Macedon. On their return the envoys
were accompanied by commissioners sent by Hannibal to obtain the king's
ratification of the treaty: they were Gisgo, Bostar, and Mago. They reached
the spot near the temple of Juno Lacinia, where they had left their ship
moored in a hidden creek, and set sail for Greece. When they were out to sea
they were descried by the Roman fleet which was guarding the Calabrian
coast. Valerius Flaccus sent some light boats to chase and bring back the
strange vessel. At first the king's men attempted flight, but finding that they
were being overhauled they surrendered to the Romans. When they were
brought before the admiral of the fleet he questioned them as to who they
were, where they had come from, and whither they were sailing.
Xenophanes, who had so far been very lucky, began to make up a tale; he
said that he had been sent by Philip to Rome and had succeeded in reaching
M. Valerius, as he was the only person he could get to safely; he had not
been able to go through Campania as it was beset by the enemy's troops.
Then the Carthaginian dress and manner of Hannibal's agents aroused
suspicion, and on being questioned their speech betrayed them. Their
comrades were at once taken aside and terrified by threats, a letter from
Hannibal to Philip was discovered, and also the articles of agreement
between the King of Macedon and the Carthaginian general. When the
investigation was completed, it seemed best to carry the prisoners and their
companions as soon as possible to the senate at Rome or to the consuls,
wherever they were. Five of the swiftest ships were selected for the purpose
and L. Valerius Antias was placed in charge of the expedition with
instructions to distribute the envoys amongst the ships under guard and to be
careful that no conversation was allowed amongst them or any
communication of plans.
During this time A. Cornelius Mammula on leaving his province
made a report on the condition of Sardinia. All, he said, were contemplating
war and revolt; Q. Mucius, who had succeeded him, had been affected by the
unhealthy climate and impure water and had fallen into an illness which was
tedious rather than dangerous, and would make him for some considerable
time unfit to bear the responsibilities of war. The army, too, which was
quartered there, though strong enough for the occupation of a peaceable
province, was quite inadequate for the war which seemed likely to break out.
The senate made a decree that Q. Fulvius Flaccus should raise a force of
5000 infantry and 400 cavalry and arrange for its immediate transport to
Sardinia, and further that he should send whom he considered the most
suitable man, invested with full powers, to conduct operations until Mucius
recovered his health. He selected T. Manlius Torquatus, who had been twice
consul as well as censor, and during his consulship had subdued the
Sardinians. About the same time a Carthaginian fleet which had been
despatched to Sardinia under the command of Hasdrubul, surnamed "the
Bald," was caught in a storm and driven on the Balearic Isles. So much
damage was caused, not only to the rigging but also to the hulls, that the
vessels were hauled ashore and a considerable time was spent in repairing
them.