21.17
The
seat of the campaigns had already been decided; the consuls were now
ordered to draw lots. Spain fell to Cornelius, Africa to Sempronius. It was
resolved that six legions should be raised for that year, the allies were to
furnish such contingents as the consuls should deem necessary, and as large
a fleet as possible was to be fitted out; 24,000 Roman infantry were called
up and 1800 cavalry; the allies contributed 40,000 infantry and 4400 cavalry,
and a fleet of 220 ships of war and 20 light galleys was launched. The
question was then formally submitted to the Assembly, Was it their will and
pleasure that war should be declared against the people of Carthage? When
this was decided, a special service of intercession was conducted; the
procession marched through the streets of the city offering prayers at the
various temples that the gods would grant a happy and prosperous issue to
the war which the people of Rome had now ordered. The forces were
divided between the consuls in the following way: To Sempronius two
legions were assigned, each consisting of 4000 infantry and 300 cavalry, and
16,000 infantry and 1800 cavalry from the allied contingents. He was also
provided with 160 warships and 12 light galleys. With this combined land
and sea force he was sent to Sicily, with instructions to cross over to Africa
if the other consul succeeded in preventing the Carthaginian from invading
Italy. Cornelius, on the other hand, was provided with a smaller force, as L.
Manlius, the praetor, was himself being despatched to Gaul with a fairly
strong detachment. Cornelius was weakest in his ships; he had only 60
warships, for it was never supposed that the enemy would come by sea or
use his navy for offensive purposes. His land force was made up of two
Roman legions, with their complement of cavalry, and 14,000 infantry from
the allies with 1600 cavalry. The province of Gaul1 was held by two Roman
legions and 10,000 allied infantry with 600 Roman and 1000 allied cavalry.
This force was ultimately employed in the Punic War.
