§30.9.1postero die Scipio Laelium Masinissamque cum omni Romano et Numidico equitatu expeditisque militum ad persequendos Syphacem atque Hasdrubalem mittit; §30.9.2ipse cum robore exercitus urbes circa, quae omnes Carthaginiensium dicionis erant, partim spe, partim metu, partim vi subigit.
On the following day, Scipio sends Laelius and Masinissa, with all the Roman and Numidian cavalry and the light-armed of the soldiers, to pursue Syphax and Hasdrubal; he himself, with the strength of the army, subdues the cities around, all of which were under the dominion of the Carthaginians, partly by hope, partly by fear, and partly by force.
§30.9.3Carthagini erat quidem ingens terror, et circumferentem arma Scipionem omnibus finitimis raptim perdomitis ipsam Carthaginem repente adgressurum credebant.
There was indeed a great terror in Carthage, and they believed that Scipio, rapidly conquering all the neighboring peoples and moving his arms about, would suddenly attack Carthage itself.
itaque §30.9.4et muri reficiebantur propugnaculisque armabantur, et pro se quisque, quae diutinae obsidionis tolerandae sunt, ex agris convehebat.
And so, not only were the walls repaired and armed with bulwarks, but also everyone, according to his ability, brought in from the fields those things which are necessary for enduring a long siege.
§30.9.5rara mentio est pacis, frequentior legatorum ad Hannibalem arcessendum mittendorum; §30.9.6pars maxima classem, quae ad commeatus excipiendos parata erat, mittere iubent ad opprimendam stationem navium ad Uticam incaute agentem: forsitan etiam navalia castra, relicta cum levi praesidio, oppressuros.
Mention of peace was rare; more frequent was the mention of sending ambassadors to summon Hannibal; the greatest part order the fleet, which had been prepared to receive provisions, to be sent to crush the station of ships acting incautiously near Utica: hoping that they would perhaps also crush the naval camp, which had been left with a light garrison.
§30.9.7in hoc consilium maxime inclinant; legatos tamen ad Hannibalem mittendos censent: quippe classi ut felicissime gerantur res, parte aliqua levari Uticae obsidionem; §30.9.8Carthaginem ipsam qui tueatur, neque imperatorem alium quam Hannibalem neque exercitum alium quam Hannibalis superesse.
They incline most to this plan; nevertheless, they resolve that ambassadors must be sent to Hannibal: since, even if things should be conducted most successfully by the fleet, the siege of Utica would be relieved only in some part; and as for one to defend Carthage itself, neither any other general than Hannibal, nor any other army than that of Hannibal remained.
§30.9.9deductae ergo postero die naves simul et legati in Italiam profecti; raptimque omnia stimulante fortuna agebantur; et in quo quisque cessasset, prodi ab se salutem omnium rebatur.
Therefore, on the following day, the ships were launched, and at the same time the ambassadors set out for Italy; and everything was done in haste under the stimulus of fortune; and in whatever matter each person had been remiss, he thought that the safety of all was being betrayed by himself.
§30.9.10Scipio gravem iam spoliis multarum urbium exercitum trahens, captivis aliaque praeda in vetera castra ad Uticam missis, iam in Carthaginem intentus occupat relictum fuga custodum Tyneta.
Scipio, leading his army which was now heavy with the spoils of many cities, having sent the captives and other booty to the old camp near Utica, and being now intent upon Carthage, occupies Tunes, which had been abandoned by the flight of its guards.
§30.9.11abest ab Carthagine quindecim milia ferme passuum locus cum operibus tum suapte natura tutus §30.9.12et qui et ab Carthagine conspici et praebere ipse prospectum cum ad urbem tum ad circumfusum mare urbi possit.
This place is distant from Carthage about fifteen miles, secure both by fortifications and by its own natural situation, and such as can both be seen from Carthage and itself afford a prospect both to the city and to the sea surrounding the city.