26.12
The
energy with which the Romans pressed the siege of Capua was far greater
than that which Hannibal exhibited in its defence, for he hurried away
through Lucania to Bruttium in the hope of surprising Regium. Though the
siege was in no way relaxed during Fulvius' absence, his return made a
sensible difference in the conduct of operations, and it was a matter of
general surprise that Hannibal had not returned at the same time. The
Capuans gradually learnt through their conversations with the besiegers that
they were abandoned and left to themselves, and that the Carthaginians had
given up all hope of saving Capua. In accordance with a resolution of the
senate, the proconsul issued an edict which was published in the city, that
any Campanian burgher who went over to the Romans before a certain day
would be amnestied. Not a single man went over; their fears prevented them
from trusting the Romans, for they had in their revolt committed crimes too
great for any hope of pardon. But whilst no one would provide for his own
safety by going over to the enemy, there was nothing done for the public
safety in the way of wise or prudent counsel. The nobility had deserted their
public duties; it was impossible to get together a meeting of the senate. The
supreme magistracy was held by a man who conferred no honour on his
office; on the contrary, his unfitness detracted from its authority and power.
None of the nobility were to be seen in the forum, or indeed anywhere in
public; they shut themselves up at home waiting for their country's downfall
and their own destruction. All responsibility was thrown upon the
commandants of the Punic garrison, Bostar and Hanno, and they were much
more concerned for their own safety than for that of their supporters in the
city. A communication was drawn up for the purpose of forwarding it to
Hannibal, in which he was directly charged with surrendering Capua into the
enemy's hands and exposing his garrison to every kind of torture. He had
gone off, so the despatch hinted, to be out of the way, lest Capua should be
taken before his eyes, The Romans could not be drawn off from besieging
Capua even when an attack was threatened on their city; so much more
determination did the Romans show as enemies, than the Carthaginians as
friends. If Hannibal would return to Capua and turn the whole tide of war in
that direction, then the garrison were prepared to make an attack on the
besiegers. He had not crossed the Alps to make war with Regium or
Tarentum; where the legions of Rome were, there ought the armies of
Carthage to be. That was how he had conquered at Cannae, and at
Thrasymenus, by meeting the enemy face to face, army to army, and trying
his fortune in battle.
This was the main drift of the despatch. It was handed to some
Numidians who had undertaken to carry it on promise of a reward. They had
come into Fulvius' camp as deserters, intending to seize a favourable
opportunity of slipping away, and the famine from which Capua had long
been suffering was a very good reason why they should desert. A Campanian
woman, however, the mistress of one of these deserters, suddenly appeared
in the camp and informed the Roman commander that the Numidians had
come in as part of a pre-arranged plot, and were really carrying a despatch to
Hannibal, and that she was prepared to prove it, as one of them had
disclosed the affair to her. When this man was brought forward, he at first
stoutly denied all knowledge of the woman, but gradually he gave way
before the truth, especially when he saw that instruments of torture were
being sent for and got ready, and at last made a complete confession. The
despatch was produced, and further evidence came to light, as it was found
that other Numidians were at large in the Roman camp under the guise of
deserters. Above seventy of them were arrested and together with the recent
arrivals were all scourged, and their hands were cut off, after which they
were sent back to Capua. The sight of this terrible punishment broke the
spirit of the Capuans.
