40.47
The
propraetors in Spain agreed upon a common plan of operation; Albinus was
to march through Lusitania against the Vaccaei, and if the Celtiberian war
became more serious he was to return thither; Gracchus, meantime, was to
penetrate to the further borders of Celtiberia. Making a nocturnal attack on
the city of Munda, he took it at the first assault. After taking hostages and
placing a garrison to hold the place, he marched on, storming the forts and
burning the crops, till he came to another city of exceptional strength called
by the natives Certima. He was already bringing up his engines against the
walls when a deputation arrived from the town. Their words betrayed a
primitive simplicity; they made no concealment of their intention to continue
the struggle if they had the strength. They requested permission to visit the
Celtiberian camp and ask for help; if it were refused them they would take
counsel among themselves. Gracchus gave them permission, and in a few
days they returned, bringing with them ten more envoys. It was at the hour
of noon, and the first request they made to the praetor was that he would
order something to be given them to drink. After emptying the cups they
asked for more, and the bystanders burst into peals of laughter at such
boorishness and utter want of manners. Then the oldest amongst them
spoke: "We have been sent," he said, "by our nation to enquire on what it is
that you rely in carrying your arms against us." Gracchus told them that he
relied upon his splendid army, and if they wanted to see it for themselves so
that they might carry back a fuller account of it, he would give them the
opportunity of doing so. He then sent word to the military tribunes to order
the whole of the force, horse and foot, to equip themselves completely and
practice their maneuvers under arms. After this exhibition the envoys were
sent home, and they dissuaded their countrymen from sending any succour
to the besieged city. The townsmen kindled fires on their watch towers, but
when they found that it was in vain, and that their only hope of assistance
had failed them, they surrendered. A war indemnity of 2,400,000 sesterces
was levied upon them. They had also to give up forty youths who were in
their cavalry and belonged to their noblest families, not under the name of
hostages, for they were to serve in the Roman army, but as a matter of fact
they were pledges of the fidelity of their countrymen.
