Spanish Hostages Given Up To the Scipios
When the Senate heard of Gnaeus Scipio's naval success, believing it to be advantageous or rather
note
essential not to relax their hold on Iberia, but
to press on the war there against Carthage with
redoubled vigour, they prepared a fleet of twenty
ships, and put them under the command of
Publius Scipio; and in accordance with arrangements already made, despatched him with all
speed to join his brother Gnaeus, and carry on
the Iberian campaign in conjunction with him.
Their great anxiety was lest the Carthaginians
should get the upper hand in Iberia, and thus possessing
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themselves of abundant supplies and recruits, should get a
more complete mastery of the sea, and assist the invasion of
Italy, by sending troops and money to Hannibal. Regarding
therefore the Iberian war as of the utmost importance, they
sent these ships and Publius Scipio to that country; who,
when he arrived in Iberia, effected a junction with his brother
and did most substantial service to the State. For up to that
time the Romans had not ventured to cross the Iber; but had
thought themselves fortunate if they could secure the friendship and allies of the tribes
up to that river. They now however did cross it, and for the first time had the courage to
attempt a movement on the other side: their designs being
greatly favoured also by an accidental circumstance.
When the two brothers, after overawing the Iberian tribes
that lived near the passage of the Iber, had arrived before the
city of Saguntum, they pitched their camp about forty stades
from it, near the temple of Aphrodite, selecting the position as
offering at once security from the attacks of the enemy, and a
means of getting supplies by sea: for their fleet was coasting
down parallel with them.
