ho was anxious to seize every
opportunity of striking a blow, sent out of the citadel Caius Persius,
an active officer, with two thousand soldiers, who attacked them
suddenly when widely dispersed and straggling about the fields; and
after slaying them for a long time on all hands, drove the few that
remained of so many into the city, to which they fled in alarm and
confusion, and where they rushed in at the doors of the gates, which
were half-opened that the city might not be taken in the same attack.
In this manner affairs were equally balanced at Tarentum, the Romans
being victorious by land, and the Tarentines by sea. Both parties were
equally disappointed in their hope of receiving provisions after they
were within sight.

40. While these events were occurring, the consul, Laevinus, after a
great part of the year had elapsed, having arrived in Sicily, where he
had been expected by both the old and new allies, considered it his
first and principal duty to adjust the affairs of Syracuse, which were
still in a state of disorder, the peace being but recent. He then
marched his legions to Agrigentum, the seat of the remaining part of
the war, which was occupied by a strong garrison of Carthaginians; and
here fortune favoured his attempt. Hanno was commander-in-chief of
the Carthaginians, but their whole reliance was placed upon Mutines
and the Numidians. Mutines, scouring the whole of Sicily, employed
himself in carrying off spoil from the allies of the Romans; nor could
he by force or stratagem be cut off from Agrigentum, or prevented from
sallying from it whenever he pleased. The renown which he gained by
this conduct, as it began now to eclipse the fame of the
commander-in-chief, was at last converted into a source of jealousy;
so that even now his successes were not as acceptable as they ought to
have been, on account of the person who gained them. For these reasons
Hanno at last gave his commission to his own son, concluding that by
taking away his command he should also deprive him of the influence he
possessed with the Numidians. But the result was very different; for
their former attachment to him was increased by the envy incurred by
him. Nor did he brook the affront put upon him by this injurious
treatment, but immediately sent secret messengers to Laevinus, to
treat about delivering up Agrigentum. After an agreement had been
entered into by means of these persons, and the mode of carrying it
into execution c