28.31
After
his victory Laelius returned to Carteia where he learnt what had been going
on at Gades, how the plot had been discovered and the conspirators sent to
Carthage. As the purpose for which he had come was thus frustrated he sent
word to L. Marcius, saying that if they did not wish to waste their time by
sitting before Gades, they ought both to rejoin their commander-in-chief.
Marcius quite agreed, and they both returned in a few days to New
Carthage. On their departure Mago breathed more freely after having been
threatened by the double danger from land and sea, and on receiving
intelligence of the renewal of hostilities by the Ilergetes, he once more
entertained hopes of reconquering Spain. Messengers were despatched to
Carthage, to lay before the senate a highly coloured account of the mutiny in
the Roman camp and the defection of the allies of Rome, and at the same
time strongly urge that assistance should be sent to him in order that he
might win back the heritage left him by his ancestors, the sovereignty of
Spain. Mandonius and Indibilis had retired for some time within their borders
and were quietly waiting till they knew what was decided with regard to the
mutiny. They felt no doubt that if Scipio pardoned the offence of his own
fellow-countrymen, he would exercise clemency towards them also. But
when the severity of the punishment became generally known they were
convinced that equal measure would be meted out to them, and so they
decided to resume hostilities. They summoned their tribesmen once more to
arms, and called out the auxiliaries who had joined them before, and with a
force of 20,000 infantry and 2500 cavalry they crossed their frontiers and
marched to their old camping ground in Sedetania.
