tory, all the Africans that had rebelled made submission to their old masters; Utica only and Hippagreta stood out, as knowing how little they deserved of favour: but they were soon forced to take what conditions best pleased the victors. Matho and his fellows were led to Carthage in triumph; where they suffered all torments that could be devised in recompense of the mischiefs which they had wrought in this war. The war had lasted three years

and about four months when it came to this good end; which the Carthaginians, whose subjects did not love them, should with less expense, by contenting their mercenaries, have prevented in the beginning.

SECT. IV.

How the mercenaries of the Carthaginians, that were in Sardinia, rebelled; and were afterwards driven out by the islanders. The faithless dealing of the Romans with the Carthaginians in taking from them Sardinia, contrary to the peace.

WHILST Matho and Spendius were making this terrible combustion in Afric, other mercenaries of the Carthaginians had kindled the like fire in Sardinia; where, murdering Bostar the governor, and other Carthaginians, they were in hope to get and hold that island to their own use. Against these one Hanno was sent with a small army, (such as could be spared in that busy time,) consisting likewise of mercenaries levied on the sudden. But these companions that followed Hanno, finding it more for their safety and present profit to join themselves with those that were already revolted, than to endanger themselves by battle for the good of that commonweal of which they had no care, began to enter into practice with the Sardinian rebels; offering to run one course of fortune with them in their enterprise. This their offer was kindly taken, but their faith was suspected: wherefore, to take away all jealousy and distrust, they resolved to hang up their commander Hanno, and performed it. A common practice it hath been in all ages, with those that have undertaken the quarrel of an unjust war, to enjoin the performance of some notorious and

villainous act to those that come into them as seconds, with offer to partake and to assist the impious purposes which they have in hand. It is indeed the best pawn that desperate men can deliver to each other, to perform some such actions as are equally unpardonable to all.

By such a kind of cruelty did the ungrateful Mantinæans murder a garrison of Achaians, sent unto them for their defence against the Lacedæmonians by Aratus; who, when he had formerly possessed himself of their city, by right of war, did not only spare the sack and spoil thereof, but gave them equal freedom with the rest of the cities united. These revolts are also common in our court wars; where, in the conquests of new fortunes, and making of new parties and factions, without the depression or destruction of old friends, we cannot be received and trusted by old enemies: Ce sont les coups de vieille escrime; "These," say the French," be the blows of the old art of fencing."

These mercenaries in Sardinia were no wit less violent in their purpose, than were Spendius and his associates; only they wanted a Matho among them to negotiate with the inhabitants of the province. The islanders were no less glad than the soldiers, that the Carthaginians were expelled the country; but they could not agree about the profit of the victory. The Sardinians thought that it was enough, if they rewarded the soldiers for their pains taken. Contrariwise the soldiers were of opinion, that the title of the Carthaginians to that isle was devolved unto themselves by right of conquest. The same quarrel would (in likelihood) have risen between Spendius with his mercenaries, and their African friends, if the common desire of both had once taken effect; unless the riches of Carthage had served to content them all. But in Sardinia, where there was none other valuable reward than possession and rule of the country, the matter was not easily taken up. So they fell to blows, which how they were dealt, I know not; but finally the mercenaries were driven out, and compelled to save themselves in Italy. Before their departure out of Sardinia, they had invited the Romans into it; with as good right as

the Mamertines had called them into Sicily. Yet this offer was refused upon reasons that follow.

Some Italian merchants had relieved Matho and Spendius with corn; of whom the Carthaginians took almost five hundred, and held them in prison. Hereof was made a great complaint; so that the Romans sent ambassadors to Carthage, requiring satisfaction. It was no time for the Carthaginians to dispute; they quietly yielded to release them all. This was so kindly taken, that they forbade all their merchants to trade thenceforth with the rebels; admonishing them to carry all provisions to Carthage. And upon the same reason did they forbear to meddle with Sardinia, or to accept the city of Utica, offering itself unto their subjection. This might have served as a notable example of the Roman faith to all posterity; had not the issue proved that it was mere regard of greater profit which kept them so temperate, no longer than the hope lasted of thriving better thereby, than they should have done by open breach of faith. The whole estate of Carthage depended, at that time, upon the virtue of Amilcar; who had he been overthrown by Spendius or Matho in one main battle, that mighty city must either have fallen into the barbarous hands of merciless villains, or have humbled herself under protection of the Romans, with whom she had lately striven for superiority. That extreme necessity whereinto Matho reduced the city, by the fortune of one sally made out of Tunis, is enough to prove that Carthage was not far from such a miserable choice. Wherefore it was not unwisely done of the Romans, to make such demonstration of kindness and honourable dealing, as might invite a rich, but sinking ship, to run herself aground upon their shore. But when all was well ended in Afric, and the Carthaginians began to prepare for the recovery of Sardinia, then did ambition put off her goodly vizor. The Romans perceiving that Carthage, beyond their hope, had recovered her feet again, began to strike at her head. They entertained the proffer of those mercenaries that were fled out of Sardinia; and they denounced war against this enfeebled and impo

verished city, under a shameless pretence, " that the pre"parations made for Sardinia were made indeed against "Rome itself." The Carthaginians knew themselves unable to resist, and therefore yielded to the Romans' demand; renouncing unto them all their right in Sardinia. But this was not enough: they would have twelve hundred talents, in recompense belike (for I see not what reason they could allege) of the great fear which they had endured of an invasion from Carthage. It is indeed plain, that they impudently sought occasion of war: but necessity taught the Carthaginians patience; and the money was paid, how hardly soever it was raised. From this time forward let not Rome complain of the Punic faith, in breach of covenants; she herself hath broken the peace already, which Amilcar purposeth to make her dearly repent; but what Amilcar lives not to perform, shall be accomplished by Hannibal, his renowned son.

SECT. V.

How the affairs of Carthage went between the African rebellion, and the second Punic war.

THE injurious dealing of the Romans, expressing their desire to pick a quarrel, served to instruct the Carthaginians in a necessary lesson: that either they must make themselves the stronger, or else resolve to be obedient unto those that were more mighty. In a city long accustomed to rule, the braver determination easily took place; and the best means were thought upon for the increase of puissance and empire. The strength and the jealousy of the Romans forbade all attempts upon the Mediterranean seas; but the riches of Spain, that lay upon the ocean, were unknown to Rome: wherefore that province might serve, both to exercise the Carthaginians in war, and to repair their decayed forces with all needful supplies. Of this Spanish expedition, the charge and sovereign trust was committed unto Amilcar, upon whom his country did wholly repose itself; in hope to recover strength by his means that had saved it from ruin.

Hanno, with some other envious men that were of his

faction, took little pleasure in the general love and honour which daily increased towards Amilcar and his friends. Yet could they not deny him to be the most worthy of command in all the city; only they commended peace and quietness, advising men to beware of provoking the Romans, in whose amity they said that the felicity of Carthage did consist. By such discourses, harsh to the ears of good citizens who had feeling of the wrong done to their commonweal, they got none other reputation than of singularity; which the ignorant sort suspected to be wisdom.

But the glory of Amilcar was continually upheld and enlarged by many notable services that he did, to the singular benefit of his country. He passed the Straits of Hercules, (now called the Straits of Gibraltar,) and landed on the western coast of Spain; in which country, during nine years that he lived there, he subjected unto the state of Carthage the better part of all those provinces. But finally, in a battle that he fought with a nation in Portugal, called the Vettones, (defending himself a long time with an admirable resolution,) he was environed and slain; carrying with him to the grave the same great honour and fame by which, in many signal victories, he had acquired the name of a second Mars.

After the death of Amilcar, Asdrubal his son-in-law was made general of the Carthaginian forces in Spain. This was a good man of war; but far better in practice and cunning than in deeds of arms. By his notable dexterity in matter of negotiation, he greatly enlarged the dominion of Carthage; adding so many subjects and confederates thereunto, that the Romans began to grow jealous again of this hasty increase. He built a goodly city upon a commodious haven in the kingdom of Granada, opposite to that of Oran in Africa, and gave it the name of New Carthage, which to this day it nearly retaineth, being called now bCarthagena. With this success of the Carthaginians in Spain

b The Spaniards have since built a city of the same name in the West Indies; which being peopled by them

in the year 1532, was sacked by the English in the year 1585.