30.7
Hasdrubal, who was accompanied in his
flight by a small body of horse, made for the nearest city, where he was
subsequently joined by all who survived, but fearing that it might be
surrendered to Scipio, he left it in the night. Soon after his departure the
gates were opened to admit the Romans, and as the surrender was a
voluntary one the place suffered no hostile treatment. Two cities were taken
and sacked soon afterwards, and the loot found there with what had been
rescued from the burning camp was all given to the soldiers. Syphax
established himself in a fortified position about eight miles distant; Hasdrubal
hastened to Carthage, fearing lest the recent disaster should frighten the
senate into a more yielding mood. So great in fact was the alarm that people
expected Scipio to leave Utica alone and instantly commence the siege of
Carthage. The sufetes -a magistrate corresponding to our consul -convened
a meeting of the senate. Here three proposals were made. One was to send
envoys to Scipio to negotiate a peace; another, to recall Hannibal to protect
his country from the ruin which threatened it; the third, which showed a
firmness worthy of Romans in adversity, urged the reinforcement of the army
to its proper strength and an appeal to Syphax not to abandon hostilities.
The last proposal, which was supported by Hasdrubal and the whole of the
Barcine party, was adopted. Recruiting began at once in the city and the
country districts, and a deputation was sent to Syphax, who was already
doing his utmost to repair his losses and renew hostilities. He was urged on
by his wife, who did not now trust to the endearments and caresses with
which she had formerly swayed her lover, but with prayers and piteous
appeals and eyes bathed in tears she conjured him not to betray her father
and her country, or allow Carthage to be devastated by the flames which had
consumed his camp. The deputation gave him encouragement and hope by
informing him that they had met near a city called Obba a body of 4000
Celtiberian mercenaries who had been raised in Spain, a splendid force, and
that Hasdrubal would appear ere long with a formidable army. He answered
them in friendly terms, and then took them to see a large number of
Numidian peasants to whom he had just given arms and horses, and assured
them that he would call out all the fighting men in his kingdom. He was well
aware, he said, that he owed his defeat to fire, and not to the chances of
battle; it was only the man who was vanquished by arms that was inferior in
war. Such was the tenor of his reply to the deputation. A few days later,
Hasdrubal and Syphax joined forces; their united strength amounted to about
30,000 men.
