40.49
From
the battlefield Gracchus led the legions further into Celtiberia, which he
ravaged and plundered. When the natives saw him carrying off their property
and driving away their cattle, some of the tribes bowed their necks to the
yoke voluntarily, others through fear, and within a few days he accepted the
surrender of a hundred and three towns and secured an enormous amount of
booty. Then he marched back to Alce and commenced the siege of that
place. At first the townsmen withstood the assaults, but when they found
themselves attacked by siege-engines as well as by arms, they lost confidence
in the protection of their walls and retired in a body to their citadel. Finally
they sent envoys to place themselves and all their property at the disposal of
the Romans. A large amount of booty was seized here. Many of their nobles
were taken, amongst them the two sons and the daughter of Thurrus. This
man was the chief of these tribes and by far the most powerful man in Spain.
On hearing of the disaster to his countrymen he sent to ask for a
safe-conduct while he visited Gracchus in his camp. When he arrived his first
question was whether he and his family would be allowed to live. On the
praetor replying that his life would be safe, he asked, further, whether he
would be allowed to fight on the side of the Romans. Gracchus granted that
request also, and then he said: "I will follow you against my old allies." From
that time he followed the Romans, and on many occasions his gallant and
faithful services were helpful to the Roman cause.
