inians opened, on a sudden, a new outlet on the other side of the
haven; and appeared at sea with a numerous fleet, which they had just then
built with the old materials found in their magazines. It is generally
allowed, that had they attacked the Roman fleet directly, they must
infallibly have taken it; because, as no such attempt was expected, and
every man was elsewhere employed, the Carthaginians would have found it
without rowers, soldiers, or officers. But the ruin of Carthage, says the
historian, was decreed. Having therefore only offered a kind of insult or
bravado to the Romans, they returned into the harbour.

Two days after, they brought forward their ships, with a resolution to
fight in good earnest, and found the enemy ready for them.(901) This
battle was to determine the fate of both parties. The conflict was long
and obstinate, each exerting themselves to the utmost; the one to save
their country, now reduced to the last extremity, and the other to
complete their victory. During the fight, the Carthaginian brigantines
running along under the large Roman ships, broke to pieces sometimes their
sterns, and at other times their rudders and oars; and, when briskly
attacked, retreated with surprising swiftness, and returned immediately to
the charge. At last, after the two armies had fought with equal success
till sunset, the Carthaginians thought proper to retire; not that they
believed themselves overcome, but in order to begin the fight again on the
morrow. Part of their ships, not being able to run swiftly enough into the
harbour, because the mouth of it was too narrow, took shelter under a very
spacious terrace, which had been thrown up against the walls to unload
goods, on the side of which a small rampart had been raised during this
war, to prevent the enemy from possessing themselves of it. Here the fight
was again renewed with more vigour than ever, and lasted till late at
night. The Carthaginians suffered very much, and the few ships which got
off, sailed for refuge to the city. Morning being come, Scipio attacked
the terrace, and carried it, though with great difficulty; after which he
made a lodgement there, and fortified himself on it, and built a
brick-wall close to those of the city, and of the same height. When it was
finished, he commanded four thousand men to get on the top of it, and to
discharge from it a perpetual shower of darts and arrows upon the enemy,
which did great execution; because,