tion which the Romans made out of
Italy.

It is doubted(663) whether the motives which prompted the Romans to
undertake this expedition, were very upright, and exactly conformable to
the rules of strict justice. Be this as it may, their passage into Sicily,
and the succour they gave to the inhabitants of Messina, may be said to
have been the first step by which they ascended to that height of glory
and grandeur which they afterwards attained.

(M108) Hiero, having reconciled himself to the Romans, and entered into an
alliance with them, the Carthaginians bent all their thoughts on Sicily,
and sent numerous armies thither.(664) Agrigentum was their place of arms;
which, being attacked by the Romans, was won by them, after they had
besieged it seven months, and gained one battle.

Notwithstanding the advantage of this victory, and the conquest of so
important a city, the Romans were sensible, that whilst the Carthaginians
should continue masters at sea, the maritime places in the island would
always side with them, and put it out of their power ever to drive them
out of Sicily.(665) Besides, they saw with reluctance Africa enjoy a
profound tranquillity, at a time that Italy was infested by the frequent
incursions of its enemies. They now first formed the design of having a
fleet, and of disputing the empire of the sea with the Carthaginians. The
undertaking was bold, and in outward appearance rash; but it evinces the
courage and magnanimity of the Romans. They were not at that time
possessed of a single vessel which they could call their own; and the
ships which had transported their forces into Sicily had been borrowed of
their neighbours. They were unexperienced in sea affairs, had no
carpenters acquainted with the building of ships, and did not know even
the shape of the Quinqueremes, or galleys with five benches of oars, in
which the chief strength of fleets at that time consisted. But happily,
the year before, one had been taken upon the coasts of Italy, which served
them as a model. They therefore applied themselves with incredible
industry and ardour to the building of ships in the same form; and in the
mean time they got together a set of rowers, who were taught an exercise
and discipline utterly unknown to them before, in the following manner.
Benches were made, on the shore, in the same order and fashion with those
of galleys. The rowers were seated on these benches, and taught, as if
they had been furnished w