24.48
The
two Scipios, Publius and Cnaeus, after their successful operations in Spain,
in the course of which they won back many old allies and gained new ones,
during the year began to hope for similar results in Africa. Syphax, king of
the Numidians, had suddenly taken up a hostile attitude towards Carthage.
The Scipios sent three centurions on a mission to him, with instructions to
conclude a friendly alliance with him and to assure him that if he would go
on persistently harassing the Carthaginians he would confer an obligation on
the senate and people of Rome, and it would be their endeavour to repay the
debt of gratitude at a fitting time end with large interest. The barbarian was
delighted at the mission and held frequent conversations with the centurions
upon the methods of warfare. As he listened to the seasoned soldiers he
found out how many things he was ignorant of, and how great the contrast
was between his own practice and their discipline and organisation. He asked
that whilst two of them carried back the report of their mission to their
commanders, the third might remain with him as a military instructor. He
explained that the Numidians made very poor infantry soldiers, they were
only useful as mounted troops; he explained that this was the style of warfare
which his ancestors had adopted from the very earliest times, it was the style
to which he had been trained from his boyhood. They had an enemy who
depended mainly upon his infantry, and if he wished to meet him with equal
strength he must provide himself also with infantry. His kingdom contained
an abundant population fit for the purpose, but he did not know the proper
method of arming and equipping and drilling them. All was disorderly and
haphazard, just like a crowd collected together by chance.
The envoys replied that for the time being they would do what he
wished, on the distinct understanding that if their commanders did not
approve of the arrangement he would at once send back the one who
remained. This man's name was Statorius. The king sent some Numidians to
accompany the two Romans to Spain and obtain sanction for the
arrangement from the commanders. He also charged them to take immediate
steps to persuade the Numidians who were acting as auxiliaries with the
Carthaginian troops to come over to the Romans. Out of the large number of
young men which the country contained Statorius enrolled a force of infantry
for the king. These he formed into companies pretty much on the Roman
model, and by drilling and exercising them he taught them to follow their
standards and keep their ranks. He also made them so familiar with the work
of entrenchment and other regular military tasks that the king placed quite as
much confidence in his infantry as in his cavalry, and in a pitched battle
fought on a level plain he proved superior to the Carthaginians. The presence
of the king's envoys in Spain proved very serviceable to the Romans, for on
the news of their arrival numerous desertions took place amongst the
Numidians. So between Syphax and the Romans friendly relations were
established. As soon as the Carthaginians heard what was going on, they sent
envoys to Gala, who reigned in the other part of Numidia over a tribe called
Maesuli.
