g the power over Carthage and the rest of Libya. And after
settling these matters he returned to the Roman camp, which they had
made entirely in front of the circuit-wall, distributing among
themselves the guarding of each gate. And the barbarians not long
afterwards proceeded straight for Carthage in great haste, and they made
camp and remained in the place called Decimum.[67] And departing from
there on the following day, they were moving forward. But some of the
Roman army encountered them, and engaging with them unexpectedly, slew a
small number of the Moors. But these were straightway called back by
Gontharis, who rebuked them for acting with reckless daring and for
being willing to give the Romans foreknowledge of the danger into which
they were thrown.

But in the meantime Areobindus sent to Coutzinas secretly and began to
treat with him with regard to turning traitor. And Coutzinas promised
him that, as soon as they should begin the action, he would turn against
Antalas and the Moors of Byzacium. For the Moors keep faith neither with
any other men nor with each other. This Areobindus reported to
Gontharis. And he, wishing to frustrate the enterprise by having it
postponed, advised Areobindus by no means to have faith in Coutzinas,
unless he should receive from him his children as hostages. So
Areobindus and Coutzinas, constantly sending secret messages to each
other, were busying themselves with the plot against Antalas. And
Gontharis sent Ulitheus once more and made known to Antalas what was
being done. And he decided not to make any charges against Coutzinas nor
did he allow him to know that he had discovered the plot, nor indeed did
he disclose anything of what had been agreed upon by himself and
Gontharis. But though enemies and hostile at heart to one another, they
were arrayed together with treacherous intent, and each of them was
marching with the other against his own particular friend. With such
purposes Coutzinas and Antalas were leading the Moorish army against
Carthage. And Gontharis was intending to kill Areobindus, but, in order
to avoid the appearance of aiming at sole power, he wished to do this
secretly in battle, in order that it might seem that the plot had been
made by others against the general, and that he had been compelled by
the Roman army to assume command over Libya. Accordingly he circumvented
Areobindus by deceit, and persuaded him to go out against the enemy and
engage with them, no