End of the First Punic War
As far as strength of feeling and desire for victory were
note
concerned, this unexpected reverse did not diminish the
readiness of the Carthaginians to carry on the war; but when
they came to reckon up their resources they were at a complete
standstill. On the one hand, they could not any longer
send supplies to their forces in Sicily, because
the enemy commanded the sea: on the other, to
abandon and, as it were, to betray these, left
them without men and without leaders to carry on the war.
They therefore sent a despatch to Barcas with all speed, leaving
the decision of the whole matter in his hands. Nor was their
confidence misplaced. He acted the part of a gallant general
and a sensible man. As long as there was any reasonable hope
of success in the business he had in hand, nothing was too
adventurous or too dangerous for him to attempt; and if any
general ever did so, he put every chance of victory to the
fullest proof. But when all his endeavours miscarried, and no
reasonable expectation was left of saving his troops, he yielded
to the inevitable, and sent ambassadors to treat of peace and
terms of accommodation. And in this he showed great good
sense and practical ability; for it is quite as much the duty of
a leader to be able to see when it is time to give in, as when
it is the time to win a victory. Lutatius was ready enough to
listen to the proposal, because he was fully aware that the
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resources of Rome were at the lowest ebb from the strain of the
war; and eventually it was his fortune to put
an end to the contest by a treaty of which I here
give the terms. note "Friendship is established between
the Carthaginians and Romans on the following terms, provided
always that they are ratified by the Roman people. The Carthaginians shall evacuate the whole of Sicily: they shall not make
war upon Hiero, nor bear arms against the Syracusans or their
allies. The Carthaginians shall give up to the Romans all
prisoners without ransom. The Carthaginians shall pay to the
Romans in twenty years 2200 Euboic talents of silver." note
