in
haste and in a tumultuous manner. Immediately they deliberated on the
means for preserving the city. They had no army in readiness to oppose the
enemy; and their imminent danger did not permit them to wait the arrival
of those forces which might be raised in the country and among the allies.
It was therefore resolved, after several different opinions had been
heard, to arm the citizens. The number of the forces thus levied, amounted
to forty thousand foot, a thousand horse, and two thousand armed chariots.
Hanno and Bomilcar, though divided betwixt themselves by some family
quarrels, were however joined in the command of these troops. They marched
immediately to meet the enemy; and, on sight of them, drew up their forces
in order of battle. Agathocles(643) had, at most, but thirteen or fourteen
thousand men. The signal was given, and an obstinate fight ensued. Hanno,
with his sacred cohort, (the flower of the Carthaginian forces,) long
sustained the fury of the Greeks, and sometimes even broke their ranks;
but at last, overwhelmed with a shower of stones, and covered with wounds,
he fell dead on the field. Bomilcar might have changed the face of things;
but he had private and personal reasons not to obtain a victory for his
country. He therefore thought proper to retire with the forces under his
command, and was followed by the whole army, which, by that means, was
forced to leave the field to Agathocles. After pursuing the enemy some
time, he returned, and plundered the Carthaginian camp. Twenty thousand
pair of manacles were found in it, with which the Carthaginians had
furnished themselves, in the firm persuasion of their taking many
prisoners. The result of this victory was the capture of a great number of
strong-holds, and the defection of many of the natives of the country, who
joined the victor.

This descent of Agathocles into Africa, doubtless gave birth to Scipio's
design of making a like attempt upon the same republic, and from the same
place.(644) Wherefore, in his answer to Fabius, who ascribed to temerity
his design of making Africa the seat of the war, he forgot not to mention
the example of Agathocles, as an instance in favour of his enterprise; and
to show, that frequently there is no other way to get rid of an enemy who
presses too closely upon us, than by carrying the war into his own
country; and that men are much more courageous when they act upon the
offensive, than when they stand only upon the