The Hannibalian War — The Recovery of Tarentum
THE distance from the strait and town of Rhegium to
note
Tarentum is more than two thousand stades;
and that portion of the shore of Italy is entirely destitute of harbours, except those of
Tarentum: I mean the coast facing the Sicilian
sea, and verging towards Greece, which contains the most
populous barbarian tribes as well as the most famous of the
Greek cities. For the Bruttii, Lucani, some portions of the
Daunii, the Cabalii, and several others, occupy this quarter
of Italy. So again this coast is lined by the Greek cities of
Rhegium, Caulon, Locri, Croton, Metapontum, and Thurii: so
that voyagers from Sicily or from Greece to any one of these
cities are compelled to drop anchor in the harbours of
Tarentum; and the exchange and commerce with all who
occupy this coast of Italy take place in this city. One may
judge of the excellence of its situation from the prosperity
attained by the people of Croton; who, though only possessing
roadsteads suitable for the summer, and enjoying therefore
but a short season of mercantile activity, still have acquired
great wealth, entirely owing, it seems, to the favourable situation of their town and harbour, which yet cannot be compared
with those of Tarentum. For, even at this day, Tarentum
is in a most convenient position in respect to the harbours of
the Adriatic, and was formerly still more so. Since, from the
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Iapygian promontory as far as Sipontum, every one coming
from the other side and dropping anchor at Italy always crossed
to Tarentum, and used that city for his mercantile transactions
as an emporium; for the town of Brundisium had not yet
been founded in these times. note Therefore Fabius regarded
the recovery of it as of great importance, and, omitting everything else, turned his whole thoughts to this. . . .
