At the same time the Roman praetor in command at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Lilybaeum&groupId=690&placeId=1261">Lilybaeum</a>, on learning of these proceedings, sent envoys to Hieronymus to renew the treaty made with his ancestors.
Hieronymus, in the presence of this embassy, said he sympathized with the Romans for having been wiped out by the Carthaginians in the battles in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Italy&groupId=656&placeId=1199">Italy</a>, and when the ambassadors, though amazed at his tactlessness,
nevertheless inquired who said this about them, he pointed to the Carthaginians there present and bade them refute them if the story was false.
When they said that it was not the habit of their countrymen to accept the word of their enemies, and begged him not to do anything contrary to the treaty — for that would be both just and the best thing for himself — he said he would consider the question and inform them later;
but he asked them why before his grandfather\'s death they had sailed as far as <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Pachynum&groupId=825&placeId=1487">Pachynum</a> with fifty ships and then gone back again.
For as a fact the Romans, a short time before this, hearing that Hiero had died, and fearful lest people in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syracuse&groupId=994&placeId=1753">Syracuse</a>, despising the tender years of the heir he had left, should change the government, had made this cruise, but on hearing that Hiero was still alive had returned to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Lilybaeum&groupId=690&placeId=1261">Lilybaeum</a>.
Now, therefore, they confessed that they had made the cruise wishing to protect him owing to his youth and assist him in maintaining his rule, but on receiving news that his grandfather was alive had sailed away again.
Upon their saying this, the young man answered: "Allow me too, Romans, to maintain my rule by turning round and steering for the expectations I have from <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Carthage&groupId=441&placeId=820">Carthage</a>."
The Romans, understanding what his bias was, held their peace for the time, and returning reported what had been said to the praetor who had sent them. Henceforth they continued to keep an eye on the king and to be on their guard against him as an enemy.
Walbank Commentary