§23.33.1in hanc dimicationem duorum opulentissimorum in terris populorum omnes reges gentesque animos intenderant, §23.33.2inter quos Philippus, Macedonum rex, eo magis, quod propior Italiae ac mari tantum Ionio discretus erat.
Toward this struggle of the two wealthiest nations on earth all kings and peoples had directed their attention, among whom Philip, the king of the Macedonians, did so all the more because he was closer to Italy and separated only by the Ionian Sea.
§23.33.3is ubi primum fama accepit Hannibalem Alpis transgressum, ut bello inter Romanum Poenumque orto laetatus erat, ita, utrius populi mallet victoriam esse, incertis adhuc viribus fluctuatus animo fuerat.
As soon as he received the report that Hannibal had crossed the Alps, while he had rejoiced at the outbreak of war between the Roman and the Carthaginian, yet, as to which of the two peoples he preferred to be victorious, his mind had been wavering, since their strength was as yet uncertain.
§23.33.4postquam tertia iam pugna victoria cum Poenis erat, ad fortunam inclinavit legatosque ad Hannibalem misit; qui vitantes portus Brundisinum Tarentinumque, quia custodiis navium Romanarum tenebantur, ad Laciniae Iunonis templum in terram egressi sunt.
After the victory in the third battle was already with the Carthaginians, he leaned toward fortune and sent ambassadors to Hannibal; who, avoiding the ports of Brundisium and Tarentum because they were held by guards of Roman ships, landed at the temple of Juno Lacinia.
§23.33.5inde per Apuliam petentes Capuam media in praesidia Romana inlati sunt deductique ad Valerium Laevinum praetorem circa Luceriam castra habentem.
Starting from there and making for Capua through Apulia, they were carried right into the midst of the Roman garrisons and were brought to the praetor Valerius Laevinus, who was encamped around Luceria.
§23.33.6ibi intrepide Xenophanes legationis princeps a Philippo rege se missum ait ad amicitiam societatemque iungendam cum populo Romano; §23.33.7mandata habere ad consules ac senatum populumque Romanum.
There, Xenophanes, the leader of the embassy, fearlessly said that he had been sent by King Philip to form a friendship and alliance with the Roman people; and that he had instructions for the consuls, the senate, and the Roman people.
praetor inter defectiones veterum sociorum nova societate tam clari regis laetus admodum hostes pro hospitibus comiter accepit; §23.33.8dat, qui prosequantur; itinera cum cura demonstrat et quae loca quosque saltus aut Romanus aut hostes teneant.
The praetor, quite delighted with a new alliance with so famous a king amidst the defections of their old allies, welcomed these enemies courteously as guests; he gave them guides to escort them; he carefully pointed out the routes and which places and which passes either the Romans or the enemy held.
§23.33.9Xenophanes per praesidia Romana in Campaniam, inde, qua proximum fuit, in castra Hannibalis pervenit foedusque cum eo atque amicitiam iungit legibus his, §23.33.10ut Philippus rex quam maxima classe — ducentas autem naves videbatur effecturus — in Italiam traiceret et vastaret maritimam oram, bellum pro parte sua terra marique gereret; §23.33.11ubi debellatum esset, Italia omnis cum ipsa urbe Roma Carthaginiensium atque Hannibalis esset, praedaque omnis Hannibali cederet; §23.33.12perdomita Italia navigarent in Graeciam bellumque cum quibus regi placeret gererent; quae civitates continentis quaeque insulae ad Macedoniam vergunt, eae Philippi regnique eius essent.
Xenophanes passed through the Roman garrisons into Campania, and thence, by the shortest way, arrived at the camp of Hannibal, and concluded a treaty and friendship with him on these terms: that King Philip should cross over into Italy with as large a fleet as possible—and he seemed likely to make ready two hundred ships—and lay waste the sea coast, and wage war on his own part by land and sea; when the war was finished, all Italy with the city of Rome itself should belong to the Carthaginians and Hannibal, and all the booty should fall to Hannibal; having thoroughly subdued Italy, they should sail to Greece and wage war with whomever it pleased the king; and whatever states of the continent and whatever islands lie toward Macedonia, these should belong to Philip and his kingdom.