<head lang="la">II. Res A Scipione In Africa Gestae</head><w lemma="%2Aoi%28">Οἱ</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="ou%29%3Dn">οὖν</w> <w lemma="u%28%2Fpatoi">ὕπατοι</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="tau%2Ftas">ταύτας</w> <w lemma="e%29gi%2Fnonto">ἐγίνοντο</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="pra%2Fceis">πράξεις</w>,
<w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="%2Apo%2Fplios">Πόπλιος</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="%2Alibu%2Fh%7C">Λιβύῃ</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="paraxeimasi%2Fan">παραχειμασίαν</w> <w lemma="punqano%2Fmenos">πυνθανόμενος</w> <w lemma="e%29cartu%2Fein">ἐξαρτύειν</w> <w lemma="sto%2Flon">στόλον</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2Akarxhdoni%2Fous">Καρχηδονίους</w>, <w lemma="e%29gi%2Fneto">ἐγίνετο</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="tau%2Fthn">ταύτην</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="paraskeuh%2Fn">παρασκευήν</w>, <w lemma="ou%29x">οὐχ</w> <w lemma="h%28%3Dtton">ἧττον</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2A%29itu%2Fkhs">Ἰτύκης</w> <w lemma="poliorki%2Fan">πολιορκίαν</w>.
<w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="mh%5Cn">μὴν</w> <w lemma="ou%29de%5C">οὐδὲ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Aso%2Ffaka">Σόφακα</w> <w lemma="tele%2Fws">τελέως</w> <w lemma="e%29lpi%2Fdos">ἐλπίδος</w> <w lemma="a%29fi%2Fstato">ἀφίστατο</w>, <w lemma="diepe%2Fmpeto">διεπέμπετο</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="sunexw%3Ds">συνεχῶς</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="mh%5C">μὴ</w> <w lemma="polu%5C">πολὺ</w> <w lemma="a%29festa%2Fnai">ἀφεστάναι</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="duna%2Fmeis">δυνάμεις</w> <w lemma="a%29llh%2Flwn">ἀλλήλων</w>, <w lemma="pepeisme%2Fnos">πεπεισμένος</w> <w lemma="metakale%2Fsein">μετακαλέσειν</w> <w lemma="au%29to%5Cn">αὐτὸν</w> <w lemma="a%29po%5C">ἀπὸ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2Akarxhdoni%2Fwn">Καρχηδονίων</w> <w lemma="summaxi%2Fas:">συμμαχίας·</w>
<w lemma="ou%29">οὐ</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="a%29pegi%2Fnwske">ἀπεγίνωσκε</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="paidi%2Fskhs">παιδίσκης</w> <w lemma="au%29to%5Cn">αὐτὸν</w> <w lemma="h%29%2Fdh">ἤδη</w> <w lemma="ko%2Fron">κόρον</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fxein">ἔχειν</w>, <w lemma="di%27">δι᾽</w> <w lemma="h%28%5Cn">ἣν</w> <w lemma="ei%28%2Fleto">εἵλετο</w> <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="%2Akarxhdoni%2Fwn">Καρχηδονίων</w>, <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="kaqo%2Flou">καθόλου</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2Afoi%2Fnikas">Φοίνικας</w> <w lemma="fili%2Fas">φιλίας</w> <w lemma="dia%2F">διά</w> <w lemma="te">τε</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="fusikh%5Cn">φυσικὴν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2Anoma%2Fdwn">Νομάδων</w> <w lemma="a%28yikori%2Fan">ἁψικορίαν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="pro%2Fs">πρός</w> <w lemma="te">τε</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="qeou%5Cs">θεοὺς</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="a%29nqrw%2Fpous">ἀνθρώπους</w> <w lemma="a%29qesi%2Fan">ἀθεσίαν</w>.
<w lemma="w%29%5Cn">ὢν</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="polla%5C">πολλὰ</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="dianoi%2Fa%7C">διανοίᾳ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="poiki%2Flas">ποικίλας</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fxwn">ἔχων</w> <w lemma="e%29lpi%2Fdas">ἐλπίδας</w> <w lemma="u%28pe%5Cr">ὑπὲρ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="me%2Fllontos">μέλλοντος</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="katorrwdei%3Dn">κατορρωδεῖν</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fcw">ἔξω</w> <w lemma="ki%2Fndunon">κίνδυνον</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="pollaplasi%2Fous">πολλαπλασίους</w> <w lemma="ei%29%3Dnai">εἶναι</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="u%28penanti%2Fous">ὑπεναντίους</w>, <w lemma="e%29pela%2Fbeto%2F">ἐπελάβετό</w> <w lemma="tinos">τινος</w> <w lemma="a%29formh%3Ds">ἀφορμῆς</w> <w lemma="toiau%2Fths">τοιαύτης</w>.
<w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="diapempome%2Fnwn">διαπεμπομένων</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Aso%2Ffaka%2F">Σόφακά</w> <w lemma="tines">τινες</w> <w lemma="a%29nh%2Fggeilan">ἀνήγγειλαν</w> <w lemma="au%29tw%3D%7C">αὐτῷ</w> <w lemma="dio%2Fti">διότι</w> <w lemma="sumbai%2Fnei">συμβαίνει</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="%2Akarxhdoni%2Fous">Καρχηδονίους</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="pantodapw%3Dn">παντοδαπῶν</w> <w lemma="cu%2Flwn">ξύλων</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="fulla%2Fdos">φυλλάδος</w> <w lemma="a%29%2Fneu">ἄνευ</w> <w lemma="gh%3Ds">γῆς</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="th%3D%7C">τῇ</w> <w lemma="paraxeimasi%2Fa%7C">παραχειμασίᾳ</w> <w lemma="kateskeuake%2Fnai">κατεσκευακέναι</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="skhna%2Fs">σκηνάς</w>,
<w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="%2Anoma%2Fdwn">Νομάδων</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="e%29c">ἐξ</w> <w lemma="a%29rxh%3Ds">ἀρχῆς</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="kala%2Fmwn">καλάμων</w>, <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="e%29pisunagome%2Fnous">ἐπισυναγομένους</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="po%2Flewn">πόλεων</w> <w lemma="kata%5C">κατὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="paro%5Cn">παρὸν</w> <w lemma="e%29c">ἐξ</w> <w lemma="au%29th%3Ds">αὐτῆς</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="fulla%2Fdos">φυλλάδος</w> <w lemma="skhnopoiei%3Dsqai">σκηνοποιεῖσθαι</w>, <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="e%29nto%2Fs">ἐντός</w>, <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="plei%2Fous">πλείους</w> <w lemma="au%29tw%3Dn">αὐτῶν</w> <w lemma="e%29kto%5Cs">ἐκτὸς</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="ta%2Ffrou">τάφρου</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="xa%2Frakos">χάρακος</w>.
<w lemma="nomi%2Fsas">νομίσας</w> <w lemma="ou%29%3Dn">οὖν</w> <w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="%2Apo%2Fplios">Πόπλιος</w> <w lemma="paradocota%2Fthn">παραδοξοτάτην</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="polemi%2Fois">πολεμίοις</w>, <w lemma="pragmatikwta%2Fthn">πραγματικωτάτην</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="sfi%2Fsin">σφίσιν</w> <w lemma="ei%29%3Dnai">εἶναι</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="puro%5Cs">πυρὸς</w> <w lemma="e%29pibolh%2Fn">ἐπιβολήν</w>, <w lemma="e%29ge%2Fneto">ἐγένετο</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="tau%2Fthn">ταύτην</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="kataskeuh%2Fn">κατασκευήν</w>.
<w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="%2Aso%2Ffac">Σόφαξ</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="tai%3Ds">ταῖς</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Apo%2Fplion">Πόπλιον</w> <w lemma="diapostolai%3Ds">διαποστολαῖς</w> <w lemma="a%29ei%2F">ἀεί</w> <w lemma="pws">πως</w> <w lemma="e%29pi%5C">ἐπὶ</w> <w lemma="tau%2Fthn">ταύτην</w> <w lemma="kath%2Fnta">κατήντα</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="gnw%2Fmhn">γνώμην</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Fti">ὅτι</w> <w lemma="de%2Foi">δέοι</w> <w lemma="%2Akarxhdoni%2Fous">Καρχηδονίους</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2A%29itali%2Fas">Ἰταλίας</w> <w lemma="a%29palla%2Fttesqai">ἀπαλλάττεσθαι</w>, <w lemma="%2A%28rwmai%2Fous">Ῥωμαίους</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="paraplhsi%2Fws">παραπλησίως</w> <w lemma="e%29k">ἐκ</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="%2Alibu%2Fhs">Λιβύης</w>, <w lemma="ta%5C">τὰ</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="metacu%5C">μεταξὺ</w> <w lemma="tou%2Ftwn">τούτων</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fxein">ἔχειν</w> <w lemma="a%29mfote%2Frous">ἀμφοτέρους</w> <w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="to%2Fte">τότε</w> <w lemma="katei%3Dxon">κατεῖχον</w>.
<w lemma="w%28%3Dn">ὧν</w> <w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="%2Apo%2Fplios">Πόπλιος</w> <w lemma="a%29kou%2Fwn">ἀκούων</w> <w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="toi%3Ds">τοῖς</w> <w lemma="pro%5C">πρὸ</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="xro%2Fnois">χρόνοις</w> <w lemma="ou%29damw%3Ds">οὐδαμῶς</w> <w lemma="a%29nei%2Fxeto:">ἀνείχετο·</w> <w lemma="to%2Fte">τότε</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="tw%3D%7C">τῷ</w> <w lemma="%2Anoma%2Fdi">Νομάδι</w> <w lemma="braxei%3Dan">βραχεῖαν</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fmfasin">ἔμφασιν</w> <w lemma="e%29poih%2Fsato">ἐποιήσατο</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="a%29postellome%2Fnwn">ἀποστελλομένων</w> <w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="ou%29k">οὐκ</w> <w lemma="a%29duna%2Ftou">ἀδυνάτου</w> <w lemma="th%3Ds">τῆς</w> <w lemma="e%29pibolh%3Ds">ἐπιβολῆς</w> <w lemma="ou%29%2Fshs">οὔσης</w>, <w lemma="h%28%3Ds">ἧς</w> <w lemma="e%29piba%2Flletai">ἐπιβάλλεται</w>.
<w lemma="di%27">δι᾽</w> <w lemma="ou%28%3D">οὗ</w> <w lemma="sune%2Fbh">συνέβη</w> <w lemma="to%5Cn">τὸν</w> <w lemma="%2Aso%2Ffaka">Σόφακα</w> <w lemma="koufisqe%2Fnta">κουφισθέντα</w> <w lemma="pollaplasi%2Fws">πολλαπλασίως</w> <w lemma="e%29pirrwsqh%3Dnai">ἐπιρρωσθῆναι</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="e%29piplokh%2Fn">ἐπιπλοκήν</w>.
<w lemma="ou%28%3D">οὗ</w> <w lemma="ginome%2Fnou">γινομένου</w> <w lemma="plei%2Fous">πλείους</w> <w lemma="h%29%3Dsan">ἦσαν</w> <w lemma="oi%28">οἱ</w> <w lemma="diapempo%2Fmenoi">διαπεμπόμενοι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="pleona%2Fkis:">πλεονάκις·</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fsti">ἔστι</w> <w lemma="d%27">δ᾽</w> <w lemma="o%28%2Fte">ὅτε</w> <w lemma="kai%2F">καί</w> <w lemma="tinas">τινας</w> <w lemma="h%28me%2Fras">ἡμέρας</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fmenon">ἔμενον</w> <w lemma="par%27">παρ᾽</w> <w lemma="a%29llh%2Flois">ἀλλήλοις</w> <w lemma="a%29parathrh%2Ftws">ἀπαρατηρήτως</w>.
<w lemma="e%29n">ἐν</w> <w lemma="ai%28%3Ds">αἷς</w> <w lemma="o%28">ὁ</w> <w lemma="%2Apo%2Fplios">Πόπλιος</w> <w lemma="a%29ei%2F">ἀεί</w> <w lemma="tinas">τινας</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="pragmatikw%3Dn">πραγματικῶν</w>, <w lemma="ou%28%5Cs">οὓς</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="stratiwtikw%3Dn">στρατιωτικῶν</w>, <w lemma="r%28upw%3Dntas">ῥυπῶντας</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="tapeinou%2Fs">ταπεινούς</w>, <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="doulika%5Cs">δουλικὰς</w> <w lemma="e%29sqh%3Dtas">ἐσθῆτας</w> <w lemma="diaskeua%2Fzwn">διασκευάζων</w>, <w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="a%29postellome%2Fnwn">ἀποστελλομένων</w> <w lemma="e%29ce%2Fpempe">ἐξέπεμπε</w> <w lemma="xa%2Frin">χάριν</w> <w lemma="tou%3D">τοῦ</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="proso%2Fdous">προσόδους</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="ei%29so%2Fdous">εἰσόδους</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="e%28kate%2Fran">ἑκατέραν</w> <w lemma="th%5Cn">τὴν</w> <w lemma="parembolh%5Cn">παρεμβολὴν</w> <w lemma="a%29sfalw%3Ds">ἀσφαλῶς</w> <w lemma="e%29cereunh%3Dsai">ἐξερευνῆσαι</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="katopteu%3Dsai">κατοπτεῦσαι</w>.
<w lemma="du%2Fo">δύο</w> <w lemma="ga%5Cr">γὰρ</w> <w lemma="h%29%3Dsan">ἦσαν</w> <w lemma="stratopedei%3Dai">στρατοπεδεῖαι</w>, <w lemma="mi%2Fa">μία</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="h%28%5Cn">ἣν</w> <w lemma="%2A%29asdrou%2Fbas">Ἀσδρούβας</w> <w lemma="ei%29%3Dxe">εἶχε</w> <w lemma="meta%5C">μετὰ</w> <w lemma="pezw%3Dn">πεζῶν</w> <w lemma="trismuri%2Fwn">τρισμυρίων</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="trisxili%2Fwn">τρισχιλίων</w> <w lemma="i%28ppe%2Fwn">ἱππέων</w>, <w lemma="a%29%2Fllh">ἄλλη</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="de%2Fka">δέκα</w> <w lemma="stadi%2Fous">σταδίους</w> <w lemma="a%29festw%3Dsa">ἀφεστῶσα</w> <w lemma="tau%2Fths">ταύτης</w>, <w lemma="h%28">ἡ</w> <w lemma="tw%3Dn">τῶν</w> <w lemma="%2Anoma%2Fdwn">Νομάδων</w>, <w lemma="i%28ppei%3Ds">ἱππεῖς</w> <w lemma="me%5Cn">μὲν</w> <w lemma="ei%29s">εἰς</w> <w lemma="muri%2Fous">μυρίους</w> <w lemma="e%29%2Fxousa">ἔχουσα</w>, <w lemma="pezou%5Cs">πεζοὺς</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="peri%5C">περὶ</w> <w lemma="pentakismuri%2Fous">πεντακισμυρίους</w>.
<w lemma="h%28%5C">ἣ</w> <w lemma="dh%5C">δὴ</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ma%3Dllon">μᾶλλον</w> <w lemma="eu%29e%2Ffodos">εὐέφοδος</w> <w lemma="h%29%3Dn">ἦν</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="skhna%5Cs">σκηνὰς</w> <w lemma="ei%29%3Dxe">εἶχε</w> <w lemma="tele%2Fws">τελέως</w> <w lemma="eu%29fuei%3Ds">εὐφυεῖς</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="e%29mpurismo%5Cn">ἐμπυρισμὸν</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="to%5C">τὸ</w> <w lemma="tou%5Cs">τοὺς</w> <w lemma="%2Anoma%2Fdas">Νομάδας</w>, <w lemma="w%28s">ὡς</w> <w lemma="a%29rti%2Fws">ἀρτίως</w> <w lemma="ei%29%3Dpon">εἶπον</w>, <w lemma="mh%5C">μὴ</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="cu%2Flwn">ξύλων</w> <w lemma="mhde%5C">μηδὲ</w> <w lemma="dia%5C">διὰ</w> <w lemma="gh%3Ds">γῆς</w>, <w lemma="a%28plw%3Ds">ἁπλῶς</w> <w lemma="de%5C">δὲ</w> <w lemma="ka%2Fnnais">κάνναις</w> <w lemma="kai%5C">καὶ</w> <w lemma="kala%2Fmois">καλάμοις</w> <w lemma="xrh%3Dsqai">χρῆσθαι</w> <w lemma="pro%5Cs">πρὸς</w> <w lemma="ta%5Cs">τὰς</w> <w lemma="skhnopoii%2Fas">σκηνοποιίας</w>.
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<head>Scipio Plans To Attack the Punic Camp</head>While the Consuls were thus engaged,<note anchored="yes" place="unspecified" id="note3">Caepio was commanding in Bruttium, Servilius in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Etruria&groupId=582&placeId=1089">Etruria</a> and <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Liguria&groupId=689&placeId=1259">Liguria</a>.<bibl n="Liv. 30.1" default="NO" valid="yes">Livy, 30, 1</bibl>.</note>Scipio in Libya<pb n="124" />learnt during the winter that the Carthaginians were fitting out a fleet; he therefore devoted himself to similar preparations as well as to pressing on the siege of Utica.<note anchored="yes" place="marg" id="note4">B. C. 203. Cn. Servilius Caepio, C. Servilius Geminus Coss.<bibl n="Liv. 30.1" default="NO" valid="yes">Livy, 30, 1</bibl>.</note>He did not, however, give up all hopes of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syphax&groupId=993&placeId=1751">Syphax</a>; but as their forces were not far apart he kept sending messages to him, convinced that he would be able to detach him from the Carthaginians. He still cherished the belief that <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syphax&groupId=993&placeId=1751">Syphax</a> was getting tired of the girl<note anchored="yes" place="unspecified" id="note5">Sophanisba, the daughter of Hasdrubal son of Gesco.<bibl n="Liv. 29.23" default="NO" valid="yes">Livy, 29, 23</bibl>;<bibl n="Liv. 30.12" default="NO" valid="yes">30, 12</bibl>,<bibl n="Liv. 30.15" default="NO" valid="yes">15</bibl>.</note>for whose sake he had joined the Carthaginians, and of his alliance with the Punic people generally; for the Numidians, he knew, were naturally quick to feel satiety, and constant neither to gods nor men. Scipio's mind, however, was distracted with various anxieties, and his prospects were far from seeming secure to him; for he shrank from an engagement in the open field on account of the enemy's great superiority in numbers. He therefore seized an opportunity which now presented itself. Some of his messengers to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syphax&groupId=993&placeId=1751">Syphax</a> reported to him that the Carthaginians had constructed their huts in their winter camp of various kinds of wood and boughs without any earth; while the old army of the Numidians made theirs of reeds, and the reinforcements which were now coming in from the neighbouring townships constructed theirs of boughs only, some of them inside the trench and palisade, but the greater number outside. Scipio therefore made up his mind that the manner of attacking them, which would be most unexpected by the enemy and most successful for himself, would be by fire. He therefore turned his attention to organising such an attack.<note anchored="yes" place="marg" id="note6">The proposal of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syphax&groupId=993&placeId=1751">Syphax</a>.</note>Now, in his communications with Scipio, <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syphax&groupId=993&placeId=1751">Syphax</a> was continually harping upon his proposal that the Carthaginians should evacuate <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Italy&groupId=656&placeId=1199">Italy</a> and the Romans <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Libya&groupId=686&placeId=427">Libya</a>; and that the possessions held by either between these two countries should remain in<foreign lang="la">statu quo.</foreign>Hitherto Scipio had refused to listen to this suggestion, but he now gave <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syphax&groupId=993&placeId=1751">Syphax</a> a hint by the mouth of his messengers that the course he wished to see followed was not impossible. Greatly elated at this, <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Syphax&groupId=993&placeId=1751">Syphax</a> became much bolder than before in his communications with Scipio;<pb n="125" />the numbers of the messengers sent backwards and forwards, and the frequency of their visits, were redoubled; and they sometimes even stayed several days in each other's camps without any thought of precaution. On these occasions Scipio always took care to send, with the envoys, some men of tried experience or of military knowledge, dressed up as slaves in rough and common clothes, that they might examine and investigate in security the approaches and entrances to both the entrenchments. For there were two camps, one that of Hasdrubal, containing thirty thousand infantry and three thousand cavalry; and another about ten stades distant from it of the Numidians, containing ten thousand cavalry and about fifty thousand infantry. The latter was the easier of approach, and its huts were well calculated for being set on fire, because, as I said before, the Numidians had not made theirs of timber and earth, but used simply reeds and thatch in their construction.
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Walbank Commentary