22.37
About
the same time a fleet which had been despatched by Hiero arrived at Ostia
with a large quantity of supplies. When his officers were introduced into the
senate they spoke in the following terms: "The news of the death of the
consul C. Flaminius and the destruction of his army caused so much distress
and grief to King Hiero that he could not have been more deeply moved by
any disaster which could happen either to himself personally or to his
kingdom. Although he well knows that the greatness of Rome is almost
more to be admired in adversity than in prosperity, still, notwithstanding
that, he has sent everything with which good and faithful allies can assist
their friends in time of war, and he earnestly intreats the senate not to reject
his offer. To begin with, we are bringing, as an omen of good fortune, a
golden statue of Victory, weighing two hundred and twenty pounds. We ask
you to accept it and keep it as your own for ever. We have also brought
300,000 pecks of wheat and 200,000 of barley that you may not want
provisions, and we are prepared to transport as much more as you require to
any place that you may decide upon. The king is quite aware that Rome does
not employ any legionary soldiers or cavalry except Romans and those
belonging to the Latin nation, but he has seen foreigners serving as light
infantry in the Roman camp. He has, accordingly, sent 1000 archers and
slingers, capable of acting against the Balearics and Moors and other tribes
who fight with missile weapons." They supplemented these gifts by
suggesting that the praetor to whom Sicily had been assigned should take the
fleet over to Africa so that the country of the enemy, too, might be visited by
war, and less facilities afforded him for sending reinforcements to Hannibal.
The senate requested the officers to take back the following reply to the
king: Hiero was a man of honour and an exemplary ally; he had been
consistently loyal all through, and had on every occasion rendered most
generous help to Rome, and for that Rome was duly grateful. The gold
which had been offered by one or two cities had not been accepted, though
the Roman people were very grateful for the offer. They would, however,
accept the statue of Victory as an omen for the future, and would give and
consecrate a place for her in the Capitol in the temple of Jupiter Optimus
Maximus. Enshrined in that stronghold she will be gracious and propitious,
constant and steadfast to Rome. The archers and slingers and the corn were
handed over to the consuls. The fleet which T. Otacilius had with him in
Sicily was strengthened by the addition of twenty-five quinqueremes, and
permission was given him to cross over to Africa if he thought it would be in
the interest of the republic.
