21.51
At
Lilybaeum Hiero and his fleet bade him farewell, and the consul, after leaving
the praetor to see to the defence of the coast of Sicily, crossed over to Malta
which was held by the Carthaginians. Hamilcar, the son of Gisgo, who was
in command of the garrison, surrendered the island and his men, a little under
2000 in number. A few days later he returned to Lilybaeum, and the
prisoners, with the exception of the three nobles, were sold by auction. After
satisfying himself as to the security of that part of Sicily, the consul sailed to
the Insulae Vulcani, as he heard that the Carthaginian fleet was anchored
there. No enemy, however, was found in the neighbourhood, for they had
left for Italy to ravage the coastal districts, and after laying waste the
territory of Vibo they were threatening the city. Whilst he was returning to
Sicily the news of these depredations reached the consul, and at the same
time a despatch was handed to him from the senate informing him of
Hannibal's presence in Italy and ordering him to come to his colleague's
assistance as soon as possible. With all these causes for anxiety weighing
upon him, the consul at once embarked his army and despatched it up the
Adriatic to Ariminum. He furnished Sex. Pomponius, his legate, with
twenty-five ships of war, and entrusted to him the protection of the Italian
coast and the territory of Vibo, and made up the fleet of M. Aemilius, the
praetor, to fifty vessels. After making these arrangements for Sicily, he
started for Italy with ten ships, and cruising along the coast reached
Ariminum. From there he marched to the Trebia and effected a junction with
his colleague.