liance with Rome, and whose son they had treated ill, at the time that
he was accompanied by a Roman ambassador.(870)

(M142) An event, that chance occasioned to happen very fortunately, at the
time that the senate of Rome was debating on the affair of Carthage,
doubtless contributed very much to make them take that resolution.(871)
This was the arrival of deputies from Utica, who came to surrender up
themselves, their effects, their lands, and their city, into the hands of
the Romans. Nothing could have happened more seasonably. Utica was the
second city of Africa, vastly rich, and had a port equally spacious and
commodious; it stood within sixty furlongs of Carthage, so that it might
serve as a place of arms in the attack of that city. The Romans now
hesitated no longer, but formally proclaimed war. M. Manilius, and L.
Marcius Censorinus, the two consuls, were desired to set out as soon as
possible. They had secret orders from the senate, not to end the war but
by the destruction of Carthage. The consuls immediately left Rome, and
stopped at Lilybaeum in Sicily. They had a considerable fleet, on board of
which were fourscore thousand foot, and about four thousand horse.

The Carthaginians were not yet acquainted with the resolutions which had
been taken at Rome.(872) The answer brought back by their deputies, had
only increased their fears, _viz._ "It was the business of the
Carthaginians to consider what satisfaction was due to them."(873) This
made them not know what course to take. At last they sent new deputies,
whom they invested with full powers to act as they should see fitting; and
even (what the former wars could never make them stoop to) to declare,
that the Carthaginians gave up themselves, and all they possessed, to the
will and pleasure of the Romans. This, according to the import of the
clause, _se suaque eorum arbitrio permittere_, was submitting themselves,
without reserve, to the power of the Romans, and acknowledging themselves
their vassals. Nevertheless, they did not expect any great success from
this condescension, though so very mortifying; because, as the Uticans had
been beforehand with them on that occasion, this circumstance had deprived
them of the merit of a ready and voluntary submission.

The deputies, on their arrival at Rome, were informed that war had been
proclaimed, and that the army was set out. The Romans had despatched a
courier to Carthage, with the decree of the senate; and to i