29.25
As to
the number of troops put on board there is considerable divergence among
the authorities. I find that some state it to have amounted to 10,000 infantry
and 2200 cavalry; others give 16,000 infantry and 1600 cavalry; others again
double this estimate and put the total of infantry and cavalry at 32,000 men.
Some writers give no definite number, and in a matter so uncertain I prefer
to include myself amongst them. Coelius declines, it is true, to give any
definite number, but he exaggerates to such an extent as to give the
impression of a countless multitude; the very birds, he says, fell to the
ground stunned by the shouting of the soldiers, and such a mighty host
embarked that it seemed as though there was not a single man left in either
Italy or Sicily. To avoid confusion Scipio personally superintended the
embarkation. C. Laelius who was in command of the fleet had previously
sent all the seamen to their posts and kept them there while the soldiers went
on board. The praetor, M. Pomponius, was responsible for the shipping of
the stores; forty-five days' provisions, including fifteen days' supply of
cooked food, were put on board. When all were now on board, boats were
sent round to take off the pilots and captains and two men from each ship
who were to assemble in the forum and receive their orders. When all were
present, his first enquiry was as to the supply of water for the men and
horses, whether they had put on board sufficient to last as long as the corn.
They assured him that there was water in the ships sufficient to last for
forty-five days. He then impressed upon the soldiers the necessity of keeping
quiet and maintaining discipline and not interfering with the sailors in the
discharge of their duties. He further informed them that he and Lucius Scipio
would command the right division of twenty ships of war, whilst C. Laelius,
prefect of the fleet, in conjunction with M. Porcius Cato, who was quaestor
at the time, would be in charge of the left line containing the same number,
and would protect the transports. The warships would show single lights at
night, the transports would have two, while the commander's ship would be
distinguished by three lights. He gave the pilots instructions to make for
Emporia. This was an extremely fertile district, and supplies of all kinds were
to be found there in abundance. The natives, as usually happens in a fruitful
country, were unwarlike, and would probably be overpowered before
assistance could reach them from Carthage. After issuing these orders he
dismissed them to their ships, and on the morrow at the given signal they
were, with the blessing of heaven, to set sail.
