25.40
While
these events were occurring in Spain, Marcellus, after the capture of
Syracuse, settled the affairs of Sicily with so much justice and integrity as to
enhance not merely his own reputation but the greatness and dignity of
Rome as well. He removed to Rome the ornaments of the city, the statues
and pictures in which Syracuse abounded; they were, it is true, spoils taken
from the enemy and acquired by the laws of war, but that was the beginning
of our admiration for Greek works of art, which has led to the present
reckless spoliation of every kind of treasure, sacred and profane alike. This
has at last recoiled upon the gods of Rome, upon that temple especially
which Marcellus so splendidly adorned. For the shrines near the Capena
Gate, which Marcellus dedicated, used to be visited by strangers on account
of the very beautiful specimens of that class of ornament; but very few are to
be seen today. Whilst Marcellus was settling the affairs of Sicily, deputations
from nearly all the communities in the island visited him. The treatment they
received varied with their circumstances. Those who had not revolted or had
returned to our friendship prior to the capture of Syracuse were welcomed
and honoured as loyal allies; those who after its capture had surrendered
through fear, had to accept the terms which the victor imposes on the
vanquished. The Romans, however, had considerable remnants of the war
still on their hands round Agrigentum. There were still left in the field the
generals Epicydes and Hanno who had commanded in the late war, and a
fresh general who had been sent in place of Hippocrates by Hannibal, a man
of Libyphoeniclan nationality, called Hippacritanus -his fellow-countrymen
called him Muttines -a man of energy and enterprise, who had had a
thorough military training under that master of war, Hannibal. He was
furnished by Epicydes and Hanno with a force of Numidians, and with these
troopers he committed such extensive depredations on the lands of those
who were hostile and was so active in keeping his friends loyal by always
bringing them help at the right moment, that in a short time all Sicily had
heard of him and there was no one from whom the supporters of Carthage
expected greater things.
Up to that time Epicydes and Hanno had been compelled to keep
within the fortifications of Agrigentum; now, however, in a spirit of
self-confidence quite as much as in compliance with the advice of Muttines,
they ventured outside and fixed their camp by the Himera. No sooner was
this reported to Marcellus than he promptly moved up and encamped about
four miles from the enemy with the intention of waiting for any action he
might take. But no time was allowed him for either delay or deliberation;
Muttines crossed the river and charged his enemy's outposts, creating the
greatest terror and confusion. The next day there was almost a regular battle
and he drove the Romans within their lines. Then he was recalled by tidings
of a mutiny which had broken out amongst the Numidians in Hanno's camp.
Nearly three hundred of them had gone off to Heraclea Minoa. When he left
the camp to reason with them and recall them, he is said to have most
earnestly advised the generals not to engage the enemy in his absence. They
both resented this; more especially Hanno who had long been jealous of
Muttines' reputation. "Is Muttines," he exclaimed, "to dictate to me; a
low-born African to give orders to a Carthaginian general bearing the
commission of the senate and people? "Epicydes wished to wait, but he
brought him over to his view, that they should cross the river and offer
battle, for, he argued, if they waited for Muttines, and then fought a
successful action, he would undoubtedly get all the credit for it.