Hieronymus of Syracuse
Meanwhile intelligence of this transaction had reached
note
the Roman praetor at Lilybaeum, who immediately despatched legates to Hieronymus, to
renew the treaty which had been made with his
ancestors. Being thoroughly annoyed with this
embassy, Hieronymus said that "He was sorry
for the Romans that they had come to such utter and shameful
grief note in the battles
in Italy at the hands of the Carthaginians." The legates were overpowered by the rudeness of
the answer: still they proceeded to ask him, "Who said
such things about them?" Whereupon the king pointed
to the Carthaginian envoys who were there, and said, "You
had better convict them, if they have really been telling
me lies?" The Roman legates answered that it was not
their habit to take the word of enemies: and advised him
to do nothing in violation of the existing treaty; for that
would be at once equitable and the best thing for himself.
To this the king answered that he would take time to consider
of it, and tell them his decision another time; but he proceeded
to ask them, "How it came about that before his grandfather's
death a squadron of fifty Roman ships had sailed as far as
Pachynus and then gone back again." The fact was that a short
-- 511 --
time ago the Romans had heard that Hiero was dead; and being
much alarmed lest people in Syracuse, despising the youth of
the grandson whom he left, should stir up a revolution, they
had made this cruise with the intention of being ready there
to assist his youthful weakness, and to help in maintaining his
authority; but being informed that his grandfather was still
alive, they sailed back again. When the ambassadors had
stated these facts, the young king answered again, "Then
please to allow me too now, O Romans, to maintain my
authority by 'sailing back' to see what I can get from
Carthage." The Roman legates perceiving the warmth
with which the king was engaging in his policy, said nothing
at the time; but returned and informed the praetor who had
sent them of what had been said. From that time forward,
therefore, the Romans kept a careful watch upon him as an enemy.
