30.9
On the
morrow Scipio sent Laelius with the whole of the Roman and Numidian
cavalry and some light-armed infantry in pursuit of Syphax and Hasdrubal.
The cities in the neighbourhood, all of which were subject to Carthage, he
attacked successively with his main body; some he won by appealing to their
hopes and fears, some he took by storm. Carthage was in a state of terrible
panic, they felt quite sure that when he had subjugated all their neighbours in
the rapid progress of his arms, he would make a sudden attack on Carthage.
The walls were repaired and protected by outworks, and each man carried
off from the fields, on his own account, what would enable him to endure a
long siege. Few ventured to mention the word "peace" in the senate, many
were in favour of recalling Hannibal, the majority were of opinion that the
fleet which was intended to intercept supplies should be sent to destroy the
ships anchored off Utica, possibly the naval camp as well, which was
insufficiently guarded. This proposal found most favour, at the same time
they decided to send to Hannibal, "for even," it was argued, "supposing that
the naval operations were completely successful, the siege of Utica would be
only partly raised, and then there was the defence of Carthage -they had no
general but Hannibal, no army but his that could undertake that task." The
next day the ships were launched, and at the same time a party of delegates
set sail for Italy. The critical state of affairs acted as strong stimulus,
everything was done with feverish energy, any one who showed hesitation or
slackness was regarded as a traitor to the safety of all. As Scipio was making
slow progress, his army being encumbered with the spoils of many cities, he
sent the prisoners and the rest of the booty to his old camp at Utica. As
Carthage was now his objective, he seized Tyneta, from which the garrison
had fled, a place about fifteen miles from Carthage, protected by its natural
situation as well as by defensive works. It is visible from Carthage and its
walls afford a view of the sea which surrounds that city.