A NOTABLE AND MEMORABLE STORY OF THE CRUEL WAR between the CARTHAGINIANS and their own Mercenaries.  
Gathered out of Polybius, and other Authors, by that famous Historian, Sir WALTER RALEGH.  Eccles. 1.9. 
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be: and that which is done, is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the Sun.  
LONDON: Printed for Tho: Underhill at the sign of the Bible in Woodstreet. 16●7.   

Of the cruel War begun between the Carthaginians and their own Mercenaries.  
after that the first punic War was ended; Amilcar, leaving Erjx, went to Lilibaum, from whence most conveniently the Army might be transpor●●d into afric: the care of which business he committed unto Gesco, to whom, as to a man of approved sufficiency, he delivered over his charge. Gesco had an especial consideration of the great sums, wherein Carthage was indebted unto these Mercenaries; and, withall, of the great disability to make payment. Therefore he thought it the wisest way, to sand them over( as it were) by handfuls, a few at a time; that so the first might have heir dispatch, and be gone, ere the second or third Companies arrived. Herein he dealt providently. For it had not been hard to persuade any small ●umber, lodged within so great a City as Carthage, unto some such reasonable composition, as the present emptiness of the common treasury did require: so that the first might have been friendly discharged, and a good president left unto the second and third, whilst their disjunction had made them unable to recover their whole due by force. But the Carthaginians were of a contrary opinion. They thought to find, in the whole Army, some that would be contented to gratify the public State, by remitting a great part of their own due: and hoped by such an example, to draw all the multitude to the like agreement and capitulation. So they detained the fi●st and second comers; telling them, that they would make an even reckoning with all together. Thus every day the number increased, and many disorders( a thing incident among Sou●die●●) were committed; which much disquieted the City, not accustomend unto the like. In this regard it was though fit, to remove them all to some other place where they might be less troublesone. This must be done by some colourable words of persuasion: for their number was already so great, that it was not safe to offend them too far. Wherefore it is devised, that they should all attend the coming of their fellows, at Sicca: receiving every one a piece of gold, to bear his charges in the mean while.  
This motion is accepted, and the Souldiers began to dislodge; leaving behind them their wives, their children, and all their baggage, as meaning shortly to fetch away all, when they came back for their pay. But the Carthaginians have no fancy to their returning into the Town; and therefore compel them to truss up their farthels, that they might have none occasion left to make any errands thither. So to Sicea they removed, with all their goods; and there lay waiting for news of their fellows arrival, and their own pay. business they had none to do, and therefore might easily be drawn to mutiny: the whole argument of their discourse inclining them to nothing else. Their daily talk was, how rich they should be, when all their money came in; how much would fall to every single share; and for how long time the City was behind hand with them in reckoning. They were all grown Arithmetitians, and he was thought a man of worth, that could find most reason to increase their demands, to the very highest, even beyond their due. No part of their long service was forgotten; but the comfortable words and promises of their Captains, leading them forth to any dangerous fight, were called to mind, as so many obligations, not to be canceled, without satisfying their expectation by some ●nordinarie largess.  
Thus the time passeth away; until the whole Army being arrived, and lodged in Sicca, Hanno comes thither to clear the account. Now is the day come, wherein they shall all be made rich; especially if they can hold together, in maintaining stoutly the common cause. So think they all; and assemble themselves to hear what good news this messenger had brought: with a full resolution to help his memory, in case he should happen to forget any part of the many promises made to them; all which were to be considered in their Donative. Hanno begins a very formal Oration; wherein he bewails the poverty of Carthage; tells them, how great a sum of money is to be paid unto the Romans; reckons up the excessive charges, whereat the Common-wealth had been in the late war; and finally desires them to hold themselves contented with part of their pay, and out of the love which they bare unto the City, to remit the rest. Few of them understood his discourse: for the Carthaginian Army was composed of sundry Nations, as Greeks, Africans, Gauls, Ligurians, Spaniards, and others, all of different languages. Yet they sta●ed upon him, and were( as I think) little pleased with his very gesture. But when such, as conceived the whole tenor of his speech, had informed the rest what could comfort he brought; they were all enraged, and fared like mad men, so that nothing would serve to appease them.  
Hanno would fain have assuaged their fury, but he knew not how: for he less understood their dissonant loud noises, than they did his Oration. An Army collected out of so many Countreys, that have no one language common to all, or to the greater part of them, is neither easily stirred up to mutiny, nor easily pacified, when once it is broken into outrage. The best that Hanno can do, is to use the help of Interpreters and messengers. But these Interpreters mistake his meaning; some, for want of skill; others of set purpose; and such as deliver his errands in the worst sense, are best believed. Finally, they think themselves much abused by the Carthaginians, and resolve to demand their own in peremptory terms, at a nearer distance. In this mood they leave Sicca, and march as far as Tunis, that is within a very little of Carthage, and there they encamp.  
Now begin the Carthaginians to find their own error. It is a good rule, 

Curandum inprimis, ne magna injuria fiat  
Portibus & miseris.   

Have special care that valiant poverty  
Be not oppressed with too great injury.   But this proud City having neglected the rule, hath also been careless● in providing to secure her self against the inconvenience that might follow. She had suffered the whole multitude, whereunto she was like to give cause of discontent, to join itself into one b●dy, when the several troops might easily have been dispersed: she hath turned out of her gates the wives, children, and g●●ds of these poor men, which had she retained in show of kindness, she might have used them as Hostages, for her own safety; and by employing a miserable penny father, in her negotiation with men of war, she hath weakened the reputation of her bravest Captains, that might best have served to free her from the threatening danger. Yet likely it is, that Am●ca● had no desire to be used as an instrument in defrauding his own Souldiers of their wages: especially considering, that as he best could bear witness of their merits, so was he not ignorant, that means to content them were not wanting, i● the Citizens had been willing thereunto. Hereunto may be added a probable conjecture, that Hanno, with his complices, who at this very time was a bitter enemy to Amilcar, had the boldness to impose the blame of his own wretched counsel, upon the liberal promises made by the Captains. Amilcar therefore did wisely, in suffering those that maligned him, to have the managing of their own plot, and to deal the cards which themselves had shuffled. This they continue to do as foolishly, as they had at first begun. They furnish a market at Tu●is, for the Souldiers; whom they suffer to buy what they list, and at what price they list. They sand ever and anon some of their Senators into the Camp; who promise to satisfy all demands, as far forth as it should be possible. And thus by shifting from one extreme to another, they make the Souldiers understand, into what fear the City was driven; which cannot choose but add much to the passions already stirred up.  
This sudden change of weather, and the true cause of it, is quickly found by the Army, which thereupon grows wise, and finding the season sit, labours to make a great harvest. Money must be had, and without any abatement. This is granted. Many have lost their horses, in public service of the State. The State shall pay for them. They had lived some yeers by ●aking hard shift, without receiving their allowance of victuals from Carthage. If they had lived, they wanted not meat; ●herefore what was this to the Carth●ginians? Was it not all one, whether the ships did bring in provision; or their Captain direct them where to fetch it? But this wou●d not serve. They said that they had ●een sometimes driven to buy; and that( since they could not remember, how much, or at what rate they b●ught) they would be payed for their provision, during the whole time, and according to the dearest price that wheat had bo●n, whi●est the war lasted. Such are now the demands of these mutineers; who might easily have been satisfied with far less charges, and far more honour, by receiving their due at the first. But now they make no end of craving. For whilst the Carthaginians are perplexed, about this Corn-money; the Souldiers have devised many more tricks, whereby to extort a greater sum of money, without all regard of shane. Since therefore no good end could be found of these controversies which daily did multiply, it was thought convenient, that one of the Carthaginians, which had commanded in sicily, should be chosen by the Souldiers, to reconcile all differences. Hereunto the Army condescended, and made choice of Gesco: partly out of good liking to him, who had shewed himself at all times a friendly man to them, and careful of their good, especially when they were to be transported into afric: partly out of a dislike which they had conceived of Amilcar; for that he had not visited them in all this busy time. So Gesco comes among them; and, to please them the better, comes not without money: which might give better countenance to his proceedings, than barren eloquence had done to the negotiation of Hanno. He calls unto him first of all, the Captains, and then, the several Nations apart; rebuking them gently for that which had passed; advising them temperately concerning the present; and exhorting them to continue thei● love unto the State, which had long entertained them, and would needs always be mindful of their good servi●es. After this he began to put hand to his purse: offering to give them their whole pay in hand; and then after to consider of other reckonings at a more convenient time. This had been well accepted, and might have served to bring all to a qui●t pass; if two seditious ring-leaders of the multitude had not stood against it.  
There was in the Camp one Spe●dius, a sturdy fellow, a●d audacious, but a slave; that in the late war had fled from a Roman whom he served, and therefore stood in fear, lest he s●ou●d be delivered back to his Master; at whose hands he could exp ct no less, than to be whipped and crucified. This wretch could find no better way to prolong his own life, than by rai●ing such troubles as might serve to with-draw men from care of private matters, and make his own restitution impossible, were his M●ster never so importunate. With Spendius there associated himself one Matho; an hot-headed man, that had been so forward in stirring up the tumult, as he could not choose but fear, lest his own death should be made an example, to deter others from the like seditious behaviour. This Matho deals with his countrymen the Africans; telling them, that they were in far worse condition, than either the Gaules, the Greeks, the Spaniards, or any foreign mercenaries. For( saith he) these our companions have no more to do, than to receive their wages, and so get them gone: but we, that are to stay behind in Africa, shall be called to another manner of account, when we are left alone; so that we shall have cause to wish, that we had returned h●me beggars, rather then laden with the money; which( little though it be) shall break our backs. Ye are not ignorant, how tyrannically these our haughty Masters of Carthage do reign over us. They think it reas●nable, that our lives and goods should be at their disposition; which they have at other times been accustomend to take from us, even without apparent cause, as it were to declare their sovereignty: what will they now do, seeing that we have demeaned ourselves as freemen, and been bold to set a good face on the matter, demanding our own, as others have done? Ye all do know, that it were a very shane for us, if having been as forward in every danger of war, as any other men, w● should now stand quaking like slaves, and not dare to open our mouths, when others take liberty to require their due. This notwithstanding ye may assure yourselves, that we are like to be taught better manners, as soon as our fellows are gone: in regard of whom they are content to shadow their indignation with a good, but a forced countenance. Let us therefore be wise; and consider, that they hate and fear us. Their hatred will show itself, when their fear is once past unless we now take our time, and, whilst we are the stronger, enfeeble them so greatly, that their hatred sh●ll not be able to do us wrong. All their strength consisteth in money, wherewithal they have hired others against us, and us against others. At the present they have neither money nor friends. The best Army that ever served them, whereof we are no small part, lies at their gates, ready to help us if we be men. A better opportunity cann●t be expected: for were our swords once drawn, all afric would rise on our side. As for the Carthaginians, whither can they sand for help? The case itself is plain: but we must quickly resolve. Either we must prevent the diligence of Gesco, by ince●sing these Gaules and Spaniards, and procuring them to d●aw blood; or else it behoveth us to p●ease our good masters, by joining with them against our fellows, yea by offering to forgive unto them all our wages, if s●( peradventure) they may be won to forgive us, or not ove●-cruelty to punish our faults committed. He is most worthily a wretched slave, that neither hath care to win his Masters love, nor the courage to attempt his own liberty.  
By such persuasions Matho wins the African Souldiers to his own purpose. They are not now so greedy of money, as of quarrel; which he that seeketh, will not miss to find. When G●sco therefore offered to pay them their whole stipend presently, but referred their other Demands, for horses and victuals, to some other more convenient time; they broke into great outrage, and say that they will have all, even all at once, and that out of hand. In this tumult, the whole army flock together about Matho and Spendius; whose diligence is not wanting, to add more fuel to the fire already blazing. Matho and Spendius are the onely men to whom the Souldiers will harken: if any other stand up to make a Speech, a shower of stones, flying about his ears, puts him to silence, that he shall never afterwards speak word more. Neither stay they to consider what it is that any man would say: enough hath been said already by those good spokesmen; so that no other word( though perhaps to the same purpose) can be heard, save onely, Throw, throw.  
Now the Rebellion begins to take form Matho and Spendius are chosen Captains; who, followed by a desperate crew o● Ruffians, will suffer no man to make his own peace, but pursue their own ends, under fair pretence of the common cause. All which notwithstanding, Gesco is not wanting to the good of his country, but adventures himself upon their fury. One while he d●als with the Captains, and other principal men; ●aking them by ●he hand, and giving gentle words: another while he wo●ks wi h the several Nations; putting them all in hope of th ir own hearts desire, if any reason would content them. No●e of them are so sullen as the Africans: indeed none of them had so good cause. They require him peremptorily, to give them their own, and not ●o feed them with words. The truth is, that they are not so covetous as they seem: but will be more gl●d of an ill Answer, than of a good p●yment. This is more then G●sco knows: Wherefore, as rebuking their inconsiderate heat, he tells them, That they may do well, if they stand in vaunt of money, to seek it of their Captain, Matho. This is enough. Shall he both defraud them and deride them? They stay no longer, but lay violent hands upon the treasure that he had brought; yea upon him also, and all that are with him: as intending to take this in part of payment, and, for the rest, to take another course. Matho and Spendius are glad of this. It h●d little pleased them to see their fe●●ows begin to grow calm, by his fair language: wherefore they cast into bonds both him, and all the Carthaginians that they can find; that so the Army may be freed from danger of good admonition, which they call Trea●on. After this follows open war. Math● solicits all Afr●ck; and his ambassadors are everywhere well entertained. Neither is it needful to use persuasion: the very famed of this rebellion sufficeth to draw the whole country into it. Now must the Carthaginians be plagued for their oppressions, with which they have plagued others. It is true, that adversity hath never been untold of her errors: and as she is ever assured to hear her own, so commonly with her own she undergoes those of other men. The Africans finding the Carthaginians hang under the wheel, tell them boldly, that their Impositions were merciless; that they took from them the one half of their corn; that they doubled their tributes in all things else; and that they inflicted upon their vassals the greatest punishment for the least offences. These cruelties the Carthaginians themselves have forgotten: but the people, that have suffered so much, retain all in perfect memory. Wherefore not onely such as can bear Arms, are ready to do service in this great commotion; but the very women bring forth their jewels, and other ornaments, offering all to sale for the maintenance of so just a quarrel. By this great forwardness, and liberal contribution, Matho and Spendius are supplied with a strong aid of threescore and ten thousand Africans: and are moreover furnished with money, not onely to satisfy the present appetite of their men, but sufficient to continue the war begun, though it should be of long endurance.  
These using the advantage of their present strength, besieged U●●ca, and Hippagreta, Cities of great importance, as being seated upon the Western Haven of Carthage, where it is divided by a neck of land; H●ppagreta standing inwards upon the great Lake; U●●ca further out upon the Sea. Neither was the Camp at Tunes abandoned, which lay filthy to hi●der the Carthaginians, from passing up into the country: for Matho and Spendius wanted not men, to follow the war in a l parts at once.  
How the Carthaginians were amazed with this unexpected peril, any man may conceive. But the business itself awakes them hastily. They are hardly prest on all sides; and therefore travailed their brains to the uttermost, how to shake of these furious d●gs from their shoulders, who sometimes by night, sometimes b● day, came unto the ver● walls of their City. In this exigent H●mo was made their general: who failed not in his accustomend diligence of making all good preparation: but had gotten together whatsoever was needful, as well to relieve a Town besieged, as to batter and assail any place defended against him, with these provisions, and with an hundred Elephants, he came to Utica, so suddenly, that the Enemies as men surprised, forsook their Trenches, and retired themselves unto a rising piece of woody ground, where they might be safe against the violenc● of his beasts. Hanno, thinking that he had to do with Numidians, whose custom was, after any loss, to fly two or three whole dayes journey off; presently entred the Town; to show himself, after this his victory. But these good fellows, against whom he was to war, had learned of Amilcar, to retire and to fight again, many times, in one day, as need required. Therefore as soon as they perceived, that he knew not how to use a victory; they assailed their own Camp, and with great slaughter, drove the Carthaginians out of it, forcing them to hid themselves within Utica; and got possession of all the store, that Hanno had brought for the relief of the Town. This bad beginning Hanno followed with suitable indiscretion: losing the benefit of many fair opportunities, and suffering the Enemies to take possession of all the entrance from Carth●ge to the firm land.  
The Carthaginians, pe●ceiving this, were exceedingly troubled, and did therefore let fa l their shete-anchor; sending to the field their great Captain, Amil●ar, whom they furnished w●th ten thousand foot of supply, and seventy E●ephants. Amilcar had work enough to do, before he should be able to meet with the Enemy upon equal ground. For besides other places of advantage that the Mercenaries had occupied, Hanno had suffered them to win the onely Bridge, by which the River Macra, or Bagradas, was passable unto these, that were to travel into the Continent. This River had not many fords, nor those easy for a single man to get over: but upon them all was kept such guard, as gave to Amilcar little hope of prevailing in seeking way by force. As for the Bridge itself, Matho and his followers were there lodged: and had there built a Town, wherein to lie commodiously, intentive onely to the custody thereof. But Amilcar had observed, that the very mouth of Bagradas used to be sometimes cloyed with sand and gravel, that was driven in by certain customary winds, and could not be driven out again, by force of that slow River, till the wind falling, or changing, suffered the weight of the waters, to disburden their channel. He●eof he made use; and taking his opportunity, passed the River, contrary to all expectation, either of the Enemy, or of his own Citizens.  
There was no need to bid Spend●us look about him, when once it was heard, that Amilca● was come over Bagradas: all the Mercenaries were troubled with the news; knowing that they were no longer to deal with the improvident gravity of Hanno, but with an able spirit, even with their own Master in the Art of War, whom they admired, though they hated him. But this fear was soon changed into presumption; when more than 15. thousand of their own society, were come from Utica; and other ten thousand from the guard of the Bridge. Their Army was far greater, than that of Amilc●r; and they were, in their own judgement, the better men, upon which confidence, they resolved to charge him on all sides, and beat him down, in despite of his worth and ●eputation. Wi●h this resolution they attended upon him, watching for some advantage, and still exhorting one another to play the men, and give the on●et. Especially they that followed him in the rear, had a great mind to begin the fight; whereunto their pro●ptnesse was such, as took from them their former circumspection. Amilcar held his way towa ds the Bridge, keeping himself on plain grounds, that were fittest for the service of his E ephants, which he placed in front of his Army. Neither made he show of any desire to fight, but suffe●ed the rashness o● his Enemies to increase, till it should b●e●k into some d●sorder. At length perceiving, that with more boldness than good heed, they followed him so near, as would be little for their good, if he should turn upon them, he hastened his m●rch, even to such a place, as made a show little differing from plain fl●ght. The Meccenaries presently fell upon his skirts; believing, that for fear of them he was ready to run away. But whilst they confusedly, as in sudden opinion of vict●ry, were d●iving at the he's of those that had the Rear; Amilcar wheeled about, and met them in the face, charging them hotly, but in very good order, so that amazed with the apprehe●sion of in●xpected danger, they fled without making any resistance. In this overthrow, there were six thousand of the Mercenaries slain, and about two thousand taken, the rest fled, some to the Camp at Utica, others to the Town at the Bridge; whither Amilcar followed them so fas●, that he wan the place easily; the Enemies being thence also fled unto Tunes, as not having recollected their spirits to make it good.  
The famed of this, victory, together with the diligence of Amilcar in pursuing it, caused ma●y Towns revolted, partly by fear, part y by force, to return to their former obedience. Yet was not Matho wanting to himself, in this dangerous time. He sent about Numidia and afric, for new supplies; admonishing the people, now or never to do their best, for the recovery of their freedom; he persuaded Spendius, and Autaritus that was Captain of the Gauls, to wait upon Amilca, and always to keep the higher grounds, or at least the foot of some hill, where they might be safe from the Elephants; and he himself continued to press the Town of Hippagreta with an hard siege. It was necessary for Amilca●, in passing from place to place, as his busin sse requi●ed, to take such ways as there were: for all the country lay not level. Therefore Spendius, who ●ti l coasted him, had once gotten a notable advantage of ground: the Carthaginians lying in a Plain, surrounded with hills, that were occupied by the Mercenaries, with their Numidian and African succours. In this difficulty, the famed of Ami●ca● his ●er●onall worth did greatly benefit his Countre●. For N●●vasus a young Gen●leman commanding over the Numidians, was glad of this occ●sion serving to get the a●qu●intance and love of so brave a man, which he much desired: and therefore came unto Amilcar, signifying his good affection to him with offer to do him all service. Amilcar joyfully entertained this ●●iend; promised unto him his own daughter in marriage; and so wan from the Enemies two thousand horse, that following Naravasus turned unto the Carthaginians side. With this help he gave battle unto Spendius: wherein the Numid an laboured to approve his own valour, to his new friend. So the victory was great: for there were slain ten thousand of Spendius his fellows, and four thousand taken prisoners; but Spend us himself, with Au●arius the Gaule, escaped to do more mischief. Amilcar dealt very gently with his prisoners: pardoning all offences past, and dismissing as many, as were unwilling to become his followers; yet with condition, that they should never more bear Arms against the Carthaginians; threatening to take sharp revenge upon all, that should break this Covenant.  
This humanity was vehemently suspected by Matho, Spendius, and Autarius, as tending to win from them, the hearts of their Souldiers. Wherefore they resolved to take such order, that not a man among them should dare, to trust in the good nature of Amilcar, nor to hope for any safety, whilst Carthage was able to do him hurt. They counterfeited letters of advertisement, wherein was contained, that some of their company respective onely of their private benefit, and careless of the general good, had a purpose to betray them all unto the Carthaginians, with whom they held intelligence; and that it was needful, to look well unto Gesco, and his companions, whom these traytors had a purpose to enlarge. Upon this Theme Spend●us makes an Oration to the Souldiers, exhorting them to fide ity; and showing with many words, that the seeming humanity of Amilcar, toward some, was no other than a bait, wherewith to entrap them all at once together; as also telling them, what a dangerous Enemy G●sco would prove, if he might escape their hands. While he is yet in the midst of his tale, were letters come to the same purpose. Then steps forth Autarius, and speaks his mind plainly: saying, that it were the best, yea the onely way, for the common safety, to cut off all hope of reconciliation with Carthage; that if some were devising to make their own peace, it would go hard with those that had a care of the war; that it were better to make an end of Ges●o his life, than to trouble themselves with looking to his custody; that by such a course every one should be engaged in the present Action, as having none other hope left, than in victory alone; finally, that such as would speak here-against, were worthy to be reputed Traitors. This An●arius was in great credit with the Souldiers, and could speak sundry languages, in such sort, that he was understood by all. According to his motion therefore it was agreed, that Gesco, and all the other prisoners, should forthwith be put to horrible death, by torments. nevertheless there were some, that for the love of Gesco, sought to alter his intended cruelty; but they were forthwith stoned to death, as a Document unto others; and so the Decree was put in execution. Neither were they therewithal contented; but further ordained, that all Carthaginian prisoners which they took, should be served in like sort: and that the sub●ects or friends of Carthage, should lose their hands, and so be sent home: which rule they observed ever afterwards.  
Of this cruelty I need say no more, than that it was most execrab e fe●itie A● for the counsel of using it, it was like un●o the counsel of A●hit●phel; All Israel shall hear, that thou art abhorred of thy father; then sh●ll the hands of all that are with thee, be strong. Such are the fruits of desperation.  
Against these inconveniences Mercy and severity, used with due respect, are the best remedies. In neither of which Amilcar failed For as long as these his own Souldiers were any way likely to be reclaimed, by gentle courses; hi● humanity was ready to invite them. But when they were transported with beastly outrage, beyond all regard of honesty and shane; he rewarded their villainy with answerable vengeance; casting them unto wild beasts, to be devoured.  
until this time Hanno, wi h the Army under his command, had kept himself apart from Amilcar, and done little, as may seem, fo● that nothing is rememb●ed of him, since his late losses. Neither was Amilcar sorry so want his help, as being able to do better without him. But when the war grew to such extremity, as threatened utter ruin to the one or ●he other side: then was Hanno sent for, and came to Amilcar, wi●h whom he joined his Forces. By this access of strength Amilcar was not enabled, to do more then in former times: rather he could now perform nothing; such was the hatred between him and his unworthy Colleague. The Towns of Utica and Hippagreta, that had stood always firm on the Carthaginian pa●●y, did now 〈◇〉 ●nto the Enemy, murdering all the Souldi●rs th●t they had in Ga●rison, and casting their bodies forth, without ●uffering th●m to be butted. The provi●ions brought by S●●, for maint●nan●e of the Army, were lost in foul weather: and Carthage itself stood in danger of being besieged, about which Math● a●● S●e●d us consulted, whilst one of the Carthaginian G●nerals did( as it were) bind the others hands  
The Carthaginians seeing that all ran towards ruin, through the discord of the Gener●ls, committed the decision of their controversies, unto the Army that served under them. The judgement of the Army was, that Hanno should depart the Camp: which he did, and Hannibal w●s sent in his stead, one that would be directed by Amilcar; and that was enough.  
After this the affairs of Ca●thage began to prosper somewhat better. Matho and Spendius had brought their A●my near unto the City; and lay before it, as in a siege. They might well be bold, to hope and adventure much; having in they Camp about fifty thousand, besides those that lay abroad in Garrisons. nevertheless, the City was too strong for them to win by assault: and the entrance of victuals they could not hinder, if any should be sent in by friends from abroad.  
Hieron King of Syracuse, though during the wars in sicily he assisted the Romans, and still continued in their Alliance, yet now sent succours to the Carthaginians: fearing their fall, and consequently his own; because if no other State gave the romans somewhat to trouble their digestion, the principality of Syracus● would soon be devoured by them. The Romans also gave them some sl nder assistance, and for the present refused good offers made unto them by the Mercenaries. This they did, to show a kind of noble disposition; which was indeed but counter●eit, as the sequel manifestly proved.  
While●● Math● and his followers were busily pressing the City, A●ilcar was as diligent, in waiting at their backs, and cutting off all that came to their supply: so that finding themselves more straightly besieged by him, than Carthage was by them, they pu posed to desist from their vain attempt, and try some other cou●se. Hereupon the● issue into the field: when Spendius, and one Zarcas an African Capt●in assist●ng the rebellion, take upon them to find Amilcar work; leaving Math● in Tunis, to negotiate with their friends, and take a general care of the business. The Elephants of Carthage, and horse of Naravasus, made Spendius fearful to descend into the Plains. Wherefore he betook himself to his former method of war; keeping the mountains, and rough grounds, or occupying the straightest passages, wherein the desperate courage of his men might show itself, with little disadvantage. But Amilcar had more skill in this Art, than could be matched by the labour of Spendius. He drew the Enemy to many skirmishes; in all which the success was such, as added courage to his own men, and abated the strength and spirit of the Rebels. Thus he continued, provoking them night and day: still intrapping some of them, and sometimes giving them the over-throw in plain battle: until at length he got them into a streight, whence ere they should get out, he meant to take of them a good account. Their judgement was enough, to perceive their own disadvantage: and therefore they had the less stomach to fight; but awaiting for help from Tunis. Amilcar prudently foreseing, that necessity might teach them, to dare impossibilities, used the benefit of their present fear, and shut them close up with Trench and Rampart. There they waited miserable for succour, that came not: and having spent all their victuals, were so pinched with hunger, that they fed upon the bodies of their prisoners. This they suffered patiently, as knowing that they had not deserved any favour from Carthage: and hoping, that their friends at Tunis would not be unmindful of them. But when they were driven to such extremity, that they were fain to devour their own companions, and yet saw none appearance or likelihood of relief: their obstinacy was broken, and they threatened their Captains with what they deserved, unless they would go forth to Amilcar, and seek such peace as might be gotten. So Spendius, Z●rxas, and Antaritus, fell to consultation, wherein it was resolved to obey the multitude, and yield themselves, if it were so required, unto the death, rather than perish by the hands of their own Companions. Hereupon they sand to crave pa●le, which is granted; and these three come forth total● with Amilcar in person. What they could say unto him, it is hard to conjecture: yet by the conditions which Amilcar granted, it seems that they took the blame upon themselves, and craved pardon for the multitude. The conditions were, that the Carthaginians should choose, out of the whole number of these Enemies, any ten whom they pleased, to remain at their discretion; and that the rest should all be dismissed, each in his shirt, o● in one single coat. When the peace was thus concluded, Amilcar  told these Ringleaders, that he choose them presently, as part of the ten, and so commanded to lay hands on them: the rest he forthwith went to fetch, with his whose army in order. The Rebels, who knew not that peace was concluded upon so gentle articles, thought themselves betrayed: and therefore amazedly ran to arms. But they wanted Captains to order them; and the same astonishment, that made them break the Covenants of peace, whereof they were ignorant, gave unto Amilcar both colour of justice, in accomplishing revenge, and ease in doing the execution. They were all slain: being forty thousand, or more, in number.  
This was a famous exploit: and the news thereof, exceeding welcome to Carthage; and terrible to the revolted Cities of afric. Henceforward Amilcar, with his Na●avasus and Hannibal, carried the war from Town to Town, and found all places ready to yield: Utica, and Hippagreta, onely standing out, upon fear of deserved vengeance, and Tunis, being held by Matho, with the remainder of his army. It was thought fit to begin with Tunis wherein lay the chief strength of the Enemy. Coming before this Town, they brought forth Spendius, with his fellows, in view of the defendants, and crucified them under the walls; to terrify those of his old companions, that were still in arms. W●th this rigour the fiege began; as if speedy victory had been assured. Hannibal quartered on that part of Tunis, which lay towards Carthage; Amilcar on the opposite side: too far asunder to help one another in sudden accidents; and therefore it behoved each, to be the more circumspectly.  
Matho from the walls beholded his own destiny, in the misery of his companion, and knew not how to avoid it otherwise than b● a cast at dice with fortune. So he broke out upon that part of the Carthaginian army that lay secure, as if all danger were past, under the command of Hannibal: and with so great and unexpected fury he sallied, that after an exceeding slaughter, he took Hannibal prisoner; on whom, and thirty the most noble of the Carthaginian prisoners, he presently revenged the death of Spenaius by the same torture. O● this Amilcar knew nothing, till it was too late; neither had he strength enough remaining, after ●his great loss, to continue the siege; but was fain to break it up, and remove unto the mouth of the River Bagradas, where he encamped.  
The terror was no less within Carthage, upon the famed of this loss, than had been the joy of the late great victory. All that could bear Arms, were sent into the field, under Hanno; whom, it seems, they thought the most able of their Captains surviving th late accidents of War. If there were any Law among them, forbidding the employment of one sole general, near unto their City( for they are known to have trusted one man abroad) the time did not permit, in this ha ●ie exigent, to device about repealing it. But thirty principal men are chosen by the Senate, to bring Hanno to Amilcars Camp, and by all ●ood persuasions to reconcile them. This could not be effected in one day. It nearly touched Amilcar in his honour, that the carelessness of Hannibal seemed to be imputed unto him, by sending his enemy to moderate his proceedings. Neverthe●esse after many conferences, the authority of the Senators prevailed; Amilcar and Hanno were made friends; and thenceforth, whilst this war lasted, Hanno took warning by Hannibals calamities, to follow good directions, though afterwards he returned to his old and deadly hatred.  
In the mean season Matho was come abroad, as meaning to use the reputation of his own success, whilst it gave some life unto his business. He had reason to do as he did: but he wanted skill to deal with Amilcar. The skirmishes, and ●ight exercises of war, wherein Amilcar trained his Carthaginians, did so far abate the strength, and withall diminish the credit of Matho; that he resolved to try the fortune of one battle: wherein either his own desire should be accomplished, or his cares ended. To this conclusion the Carthaginians were no less prove, than Matho: as being weary of these long troubles, and insupportable expenses; confident in the valour of their own men, which had approved 〈◇〉 s●lf in many trials; and well assured of Amilcar his great worth, whereunto the Enemy hath not what to oppose. According to this determination, each part was diligent in making provision: inviting their friends to help; and drawing forth into the field, all that lay in Garrison.  
The issue of this battle might have been foretold, without help of witchcraft. Matho, and his followers, had nothing whereon to presume, save their daring spirits, which had been well cooled by the many late skirmishes, wherein they had learned how to run away. The Carthaginians had reason to dare, as having been often victorious: and in all points else they had the better of their Enemies; especially( which is worth all the rest) they had such a Commander, as was not easily to be matched in that Age. Neither was it likely, that the desire of liberty should work so much, in men accustomend to servitude; as the honour of their State would, in Citizens, whose future and present good lay all at once engaged in that adventure. So the Carthaginians wan a great victory, wherein most of the Africans their Enemies were slain; the rest fled into a Town, which was not to be defended, and therefore they all yielded; and Matho himself was taken alive. Immediately upon this victory, all the Africans that had rebelled, made submission to their old masters: Utica, onely, 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 lead 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 yeers, and about four moneths, 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.  
FINIS.