29.29
In the
skirmish which ensued, the Romans killed some of the enemy in the actual
fighting, but the greater number were slain in the pursuit, amongst them the
young Hanno, who was in command. Scipio ravaged the surrounding fields
and captured a fairly opulent city in the immediate neighbourhood. In
addition to the plunder which was at once put on board the transports and
sent to Sicily, he made prisoners of some 8000 men, freemen and slaves.
What cheered the whole army most of all at the outset of their campaign was
the arrival of Masinissa, who, according to some writers, was accompanied
by a mounted force of 200 men; most authorities, however, assert that it
numbered 2000. As this monarch was by far the greatest of his
contemporaries and rendered most important service to Rome, it may be
worth while to digress from the order of our narrative and give a brief
account of the various fortunes he experienced in the loss and subsequent
recovery of the throne of his ancestors. Whilst he was fighting for the
Carthaginians in Spain, his father Gala died. In accordance with the
Numidian custom the crown passed to the late king's brother Oezalces, a
man advanced in years. He died not long afterwards and the elder of his two
sons, Capussa -the other was quite a boy -succeeded to the throne. But as
he wore the crown by right of descent rather than through any influence or
authority he possessed with his subjects, a certain Mazaetullus prepared to
dispute his claim. This man was also of royal blood and belonged to a family
which had always been foes to the reigning house, and had kept up a
constant struggle with varying fortunes against the occupants of the throne.
He succeeded in rousing his countrymen, over whom, owing to the king's
unpopularity, he had considerable influence, and taking the field against him,
compelled him to fight for his crown. Capussa fell in the action, together
with many of his principal supporters; the whole of the Maesulian tribe
submitted to Mazaetullus. He would not, however, accept the title of king,
this he bestowed on the boy Lacumazes, the sole survivor of the royal house.
and contented himself with the modest title of Protector. With a view to an
alliance with Carthage he married a Carthaginian lady of noble birth, a niece
of Hannibal's, and widow of Oezalces. He also sent envoys to Syphax and
renewed the old ties of hospitality with him, thus securing on all sides
support for the coming struggle with Masinissa.
