31.19
The
envoys who had been sent to Africa to report the action of Hamilcar in
assuming the leadership of the Gauls were informed by the Carthaginian
government that they could do nothing more than sentence him to
banishment and confiscate his property; all the refugees and deserters whom
after careful search they had been able to discover had been given up, and
they intended to send envoys to Rome to give satisfactory assurances on this
point. They sent 200,000 modii of wheat to Rome and a similar amount to
the army in Macedonia. From Carthage the legates proceeded to Numidia to
visit the two kings. The presents destined for Masinissa were given to him
and the message delivered from the senate. He offered to furnish 2000 horse,
but only 1000 were accepted, and he personally superintended their
embarkation. With them he sent to Macedonia 2,000,000 modii of wheat and
the same quantity of barley. The third mission was to Vermina. He came to
meet them at the frontier of his kingdom and left it to them to put in writing
what conditions of peace they wanted, assuring them that any peace with
Rome he should look upon as fair and advantageous. The terms were handed
to him, and he was instructed to send commissioners to Rome to obtain their
ratification.
