28.20
Its
capture was effected by some African deserters who were serving with the
Romans. Whilst the attention of the townsmen was directed to defending the
positions which appeared to be in danger and the assailants were mounting
their ladders wherever they could approach the walls, these men noticed that
the highest part of the city, which was protected by precipitous cliffs, was
left unfortified and undefended. These Africans, men of light make and
through constant training extremely agile, were furnished with iron hooks,
and where the projections of the cliff gave them a footing they climbed it,
when they came to a place where it was too steep or too smooth they fixed
the hooks in at moderate intervals and used them as steps, those in front
pulling up those behind, and those below pushing up those above them. In
this way, they managed to reach the top, and no sooner had they done so
than they ran down with loud shouts into the city which the Romans had
already captured. And now the hatred and resentment which had prompted
the attack on the city showed itself. No one thought of making prisoners or
securing plunder though everything was at the mercy of the spoilers; the
scene was one of indiscriminate butchery, non-combatants together with
those in arms, women equally with men were all alike massacred; the ruthless
savagery extended even to the slaughter of infants. Then they flung lighted
brands on the houses and what the fire could not consume was completely
demolished. So bent were they upon obliterating every vestige of the city,
and blotting out all record of their foes. From there Scipio marched to
Castulo. This place was being defended by natives from the surrounding
towns and also by the remains of the Carthaginian army who had gathered
there after their flight. But Scipio's approach had been preceded by the news
of the fall of Iliturgi, and this spread dismay and despair everywhere. The
interests of the Carthaginians and of the Spaniards were quite distinct, each
party consulted for its own safety without regard to the other, and what was
at first mutual suspicion soon led to an open rupture between them.
Cerdubelus openly advised the Spaniards to surrender, Himilco, the
Carthaginian commander, counselled resistance. Cerdubelus came to a secret
understanding with the Roman general, and betrayed the city and the
Carthaginians into his hands. More clemency was shown in this victory; the
town was not so deeply involved in guilt and the voluntary surrender went
far to soften any feelings of resentment.
