24.41
The
fighting went on in Spain this year with varying success. Before the Romans
crossed the Ebro Mago and Hasdrubal defeated enormous forces of
Spaniards. All Spain west of the Ebro would have abandoned the side of
Rome had not P. Cornelius Scipio hurriedly crossed the Ebro and by his
timely appearance confirmed the wavering allies. The Romans first fixed
their camp at Castrum Album, a place made famous by the death of the great
Hamilcar, and had accumulated supplies of corn there. The country round,
however, was infested by the enemy, and his cavalry had attacked the
Romans while on the march with impunity; they lost as many as 2000 men
who had fallen behind or were straying from the line of march. They decided
to withdraw to a less hostile part and entrenched themselves at the Mount of
Victory. Cn. Scipio joined them here with his entire force, and Hasdrubal,
the son of Gisgo, came up also with a complete army. There were now three
Carthaginian generals and they all encamped on the other side of the river
opposite the Roman camp. Publius Scipio went out with some light cavalry
to reconnoitre, but in spite of all his precautions he did not remain
unobserved, and would have been overpowered in the open plain had he not
seized some rising ground that was near. Here he was surrounded and it was
only his brother's timely arrival that rescued him. Castulo, a powerful and
famous city of Spain, and in such close alliance with Carthage that Hannibal
took a wife from there, seceded to Rome. The Carthaginians commenced an
attack upon Illiturgis, owing to the presence of a Roman garrison there, and
it looked as if they would certainly reduce it by famine. Cn. Scipio went to
the assistance of the besieged with a legion in light marching order, and
fighting his way between the two Carthaginian camps, entered the town after
inflicting heavy losses upon the besiegers. The following day he made a
sortie and was equally successful. Above 12,000 men were killed in the two
battles and more than a thousand were made prisoners; thirty-six standards
were also captured. In this way the siege of Illiturgis was raised. Their next
move was to Bigerra -also in alliance with Rome -which they proceeded to
attack, but on Cn. Scipio's appearance they retired without striking a blow.
