23.33
This
struggle between the most powerful nations in the world was attracting the
attention of all men, kings and peoples alike, and especially of Philip, the
King of Macedon, as he was comparatively near to Italy, separated from it
only by the Ionian Sea. When he first heard the rumour of Hannibal's passage
of the Alps, delighted as he was at the outbreak of war between Rome and
Carthage, he was still undecided, till their relative strength had been tested,
which of the two he would prefer to have the victory. But after the third
battle had been fought and the victory rested with the Carthaginians for the
third time, he inclined to the side which Fortune favoured and sent
ambassadors to Hannibal. Avoiding the ports of Brundisium and Tarentum
which were guarded by Roman ships, they landed near the temple of Juno
Lacinia. Whilst traversing Apulia on their way to Capua they fell into the
midst of the Roman troops who were defending the district, and were
conducted to Valerius Laevinus, the praetor, who was encamped near
Luceria. Xenophanes, the head of the legation, explained, without the
slightest fear or hesitation, that he had been sent by the king to form a league
of friendship with Rome, and that he was conveying his instructions to the
consuls and senate and people. Amidst the defection of so many old allies,
the praetor was delighted beyond measure at the prospect of a new alliance
with so illustrious a monarch, and gave his enemies a most hospitable
reception. He assigned them an escort, and pointed out carefully what route
they should take, what places and passes were held by the Romans and what
by the enemy. Xenophanes passed through the Roman troops into Campania
and thence by the nearest route reached Hannibal's camp. He made a treaty
of friendship with him on these terms: King Philip was to sail to Italy with as
large a fleet as possible -he was, it appears, intending to fit out two hundred
ships -and ravage the coast, and carry on war by land and sea to the utmost
of his power; when the war was over the whole of Italy, including Rome
itself, was to be the possession of the Carthaginians and Hannibal, and all the
plunder was to go to Hannibal; when the Carthaginians had thoroughly
subdued Italy they were to sail to Greece and make war upon such nations as
the king wished; the cities on the mainland and the islands lying off
Macedonia were to form part of Philip's kingdom.
