30.16
Laelius was sent in charge of Syphax and
the other prisoners to Rome, and envoys from Masinissa accompanied him.
Scipio returned to his camp at Tyneta and completed the fortifications which
he had commenced. The rejoicing of the Carthaginians over the temporary
success of their naval attack was short-lived and evanescent, for when they
heard of the capture of Syphax, on whom they had rested their hopes almost
more than on Hasdrubal and his army, they completely lost heart. The war
party could no longer gain a hearing and the senate sent the "Thirty Seniors"
to Scipio to sue for peace. This body was the most august council in their
state and controlled to a very large extent even the senate itself. When they
reached the headquarters tent in the Roman camp, they made a profound
obeisance and prostrated themselves -a practice, I believe, which they
brought with them from their original home. Their language corresponded to
their abject posture. They made no excuse for themselves, but threw the
responsibility for the war on Hannibal and his supporters. They craved
pardon for a city which had been twice ruined by the recklessness of its
citizens and could only be preserved in safety by the good-will of its enemy.
What Rome sought, they pleaded, was the homage and submission of the
vanquished, not their annihilation. They professed themselves ready to
execute any commands which he chose to give. Scipio replied that he had
come to Africa in the hope -a hope which his successes had confirmed -of
taking back to Rome a complete victory, and not merely proposals for peace.
Still, though victory was almost within his grasp, he would not refuse to
grant terms of peace, that all nations might know that Rome was actuated by
the spirit of justice, whether she was undertaking a war or putting an end to
one.
He stated the terms of peace, which were the surrender of all
prisoners, deserters and refugees; the withdrawal of the armies from Italy
and Gaul; the abandonment of all action in Spain; the evacuation of all the
islands lying between Italy and Africa and the surrender of their entire navy
with the exception of twenty vessels. They were also to provide 500,000
pecks of wheat and 300,000 of barley, but the actual amount of the money
indemnity is doubtful. In some authors I find 5000 talents, in others 5000
pounds of silver mentioned; some only say that double pay for the troops
was demanded. "You will be allowed," he added, "three days to consider
whether you will agree to peace on these terms. If you decide to do so,
arrange an armistice with me, and send envoys to the senate in Rome." The
Carthaginians were then dismissed. As their object was to gain time to allow
of Hannibal's sailing across to Africa they resolved that no conditions of
peace should be rejected, and accordingly they sent delegates to conclude an
armistice with Scipio, and a deputation was also sent to Rome to sue for
peace, the latter taking with them a few prisoners and deserters for the sake
of appearance, in order that peace might more be readily granted.