30.21
The
news of Mago's departure reached Rome at the same time as that of
Hannibal. The joy with which the intelligence of this twofold relief was
received was, however, chastened by the fact that their generals had, through
lack of either courage or strength, failed to detain them, though they had
received express instructions from the senate to that effect. There was also a
feeling of anxiety as to what the issue would be now that the whole brunt of
the war fell upon one army and one commander. Just at this time, a
commission arrived from Saguntum bringing some Carthaginians who had
landed in Spain for the purpose of hiring auxiliaries, and whom they had
captured together with the money they had brought. 250 pounds of silver
and 800 pounds of gold were deposited in the vestibule of the senate-house.
After the men had been handed over and thrown into prison, the gold and
silver was returned to the Saguntines. A vote of thanks was accorded to
them, they were presented with gifts and also provided with ships in which
to return to Spain. Following upon this incident some of the senior senators
reminded the House of a great omission. "Men," they said, "are much more
alive to their misfortunes than to the good things that come to them. We
remember what panic and terror we felt when Hannibal descended upon
Italy. What defeats and mourning followed! The enemy's camp was visible
from the City -what prayers we one and all put up! How often in our
councils have we heard the plaint of men lifting up their hands to heaven and
asking whether the day would ever come when they would see Italy freed
from an enemy's presence and flourishing in peace and prosperity! At last,
after sixteen years of war, the gods have granted us this boon, and yet there
are none who ask that thanks should be offered to them. Men do not receive
even a present blessing with grateful hearts, much less are they are likely to
remember past benefits." A general shout arose from all parts of the House
calling upon the praetor P. Aelius to submit a motion. It was decreed that a
five days' thanksgiving should be offered at all the shrines and a hundred and
twenty full-grown victims sacrificed. Laelius had by this time left Rome with
Masinissa's envoys. On tidings being received that the Carthaginian peace
deputation had been seen at Puteoli and would come on from there by land it
was decided to recall Laelius in order that he might be present at the
interview. Q. Fulvius Gillo, one of Scipio's staff-officers, conducted the
Carthaginians to Rome. As they were forbidden to enter the City they were
domiciled in a country house belonging to the State, and an audience of the
senate was granted them in the temple of Bellona.
