nsequences which had attended on Regulus's
inexorable and imprudent obstinacy, were fresh in his memory. He therefore
complied without difficulty, and dictated the following treaty.

THERE SHALL BE PEACE BETWEEN ROME AND CARTHAGE (IN CASE THE ROMAN PEOPLE
APPROVE OF IT) ON THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: THE CARTHAGINIANS SHALL
EVACUATE ALL SICILY; SHALL NO LONGER MAKE WAR UPON HIERO, THE SYRACUSANS,
OR THEIR ALLIES: THEY SHALL RESTORE TO THE ROMANS, WITHOUT RANSOM, ALL THE
PRISONERS WHICH THEY HAVE TAKEN FROM THEM; AND PAY THEM, WITHIN TWENTY
YEARS, TWO THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED EUBOIC TALENTS OF SILVER.(696) It is worth
the reader's remarking, by the way, the simple, exact, and clear terms in
which this treaty is expressed; that, in so short a compass, adjusts the
interests of two powerful republics and their allies, both by sea and
land.

When these conditions were brought to Rome, the people, not approving of
them, sent ten commissioners to Sicily, to terminate the affair. These
made no alteration as to the substance of the treaty;(697) only shortening
the time appointed for the payment, reducing it to ten years: a thousand
talents were added to the sum that had been stipulated, which were to be
paid immediately; and the Carthaginians were required to depart out of all
the islands situated between Italy and Sicily. Sardinia was not
comprehended in this treaty; but they gave it up by another treaty which
was made some years afterwards.

(M115) Such was the conclusion of a war, one of the longest mentioned in
history, since it continued twenty-four years without intermission. The
obstinacy, in disputing for empire, was equal on either side: the same
resolution, the same greatness of soul, in forming as well as in executing
of projects, being conspicuous on both sides. The Carthaginians had the
superiority in their acquaintance with naval affairs; in their skill in
the construction of their vessels; the working of them; the experience and
capacity of their pilots; the knowledge of coasts, shallows, roads, and
winds; and in the inexhaustible fund of wealth, which furnished all the
expenses of so long and obstinate a war. The Romans had none of these
advantages; but their courage, zeal for the public good, love of their
country, and a noble emulation of glory, supplied all other deficiencies.
We are astonished to see a nation, so raw and inexperienced in naval
affairs, not only making head against a people who were better skilled