The Submission of the Edetani to Scipio
In Iberia Publius Scipio took up his winter quarters at
note
Tarraco, as I have already stated; and secured
the fidelity and affection of the Iberians, to
begin with, by the restoration of the hostages to
their respective families. He found a voluntary
supporter of his measures in the person of
Edeco, the prince of the Edetani; who no
sooner heard that New Carthage had been taken, and that
Scipio had got his wife and children into his hands, than,
concluding that the Iberians would change sides, he resolved
to take the lead in the movement: conceiving that, by acting
thus, he would best be able to get back his wife and children,
and at the same time have the credit of joining the Romans
by deliberate choice, and not under compulsion. And so it
turned out. For as soon as the armies were dismissed to their
winter quarters, he came to Tarraco, accompanied by his
kinsfolk and friends; and there being admitted to an interview with Scipio, he said that "he thanked the gods heartily
that he was the first of the native princes to come to him; for
whereas the others were still sending ambassadors to the
Carthaginians and looking to them for support,—even while
stretching out their hands to the Romans,—he was come there
to offer not only himself, but his friends and kinsfolk also, to
the protection of Rome. If therefore he should have the
honour to be regarded by him as a friend and ally, he would
be able to render him important service both in the present
and the future. For as soon as the Iberians saw that he had
been admitted to Scipio's friendship, and had obtained what he
asked, they would all come in with a similar object, hoping to
have their relatives restored, and to enjoy the alliance of Rome.
Their affection being secured for the future by receiving such
a mark of honour and benevolence, he would have in them
sincere and ready coadjutors in all his future undertakings.
He therefore asked to have his wife and children restored to
him, and to be allowed to return home an acknowledged friend
of Rome; in order that he might have a reasonable pretext
-- 34 --
for showing, to the best of his power, his own and his friends'
affection for Scipio himself and for the Roman cause."
