THE HATRED OF CATO FOR CARTHAGE
When Scipio sailed with his fleet from Lilybæum, Cato was on board one
of the ships as quæstor, under Lælius.
It may be that his hatred of Carthage began at this time. But in any
case, in years to come his dislike to the city was bitter, and it grew
to be his one desire that it should be destroyed.
Cato had served his country as prætor in Sardinia, and when he was
Consul Spain was his province. Wherever he went he was known as a just
and honest Roman, who had a contempt for luxury, and himself lived
frugally.
In 184 B.C. he was appointed Censor, and in that position he came to be
dreaded, so severe was he in his judgments. His speech, too, was often
bitter, and stung his hearers into indignation.
Scipio, the Censor disliked. For he encouraged Greek culture, and by
his advice many Roman youths were taught by Greek tutors, and for this
new learning Cato had little care.
He loved the quiet, old-fashioned ways in which his countrymen had
been used to live. Cincinnatus was his ideal of a Roman citizen, and
he would fain have the nobles still live on their farms, plough their
lands, and leave them only when the State demanded their service. The
service rendered, Cato would have liked to see them hasten back to
their homes, to plough, to sow, to reap.
This was the man who, often as he spoke in the Senate, never failed to
refer to Carthage before he ended. ‘Every speech which I shall make in
this house,’ he sternly announced, ‘shall finish with these words,
“Carthage must be destroyed.”’
One day as he spoke in the Senate he plucked some fresh figs from
the folds of his toga. Holding them out that all might see, he said:
‘This fruit has been brought from Carthage. It grows but three days’
sail from Rome. I say that it is not well to have so prosperous and so
strong a city near to us. Carthage must be destroyed.’ The reiteration
of these words had its effect.
But a reason for proclaiming war on the Carthaginians was necessary
before Rome could send her armies to destroy their city. In 149 B.C.
she found the pretext she wished.
By the treaty made after the battle of Zama the Carthaginians had been
bound not to take up arms against any ally of Rome. Yet Masinissa was
left to harass them as he pleased, and he proved as troublesome a
neighbour as the Carthaginians had foreseen.
For half a century Carthage was true to her bond and raised no army
even for her own defence.
In spite of Masinissa’s raids upon her territory, the city had again
become rich and populous. So it was now a simple matter to form an army
and send it against their troublesome and greedy neighbour. Their army
was led by a general named Hasdrubal. Rome knew all that was going on
in Carthage, but for the time she did not interfere. She was watching
for the time when the city would be worn out by her struggle with
Masinissa.
In 151 B.C. the army of Carthage took the field against her foe, and
a great battle was fought. It lasted for the whole of one day, yet
neither side gained a decisive victory.
Masinissa, although now an old man of about ninety years of age, was
still a clever general. Soon after the battle he succeeded in enticing
the enemy into a tract of desert country.
Here he surrounded it with his troops, who watched so closely, that
it was impossible for a soldier to go out to search for succour or for
provisions. Hunger and sickness soon compelled the Carthaginians to
surrender at discretion.
Hasdrubal and those of his men who had not perished were allowed to
return to Carthage, Masinissa promising that they should go in safety.
But he did not scruple to break faith with the soldiers, who were weak
for want of food and unarmed, after having passed beneath the yoke.
His son Gulussa was allowed to surprise the miserable men as they
crept along toward Carthage, and scarcely one escaped to tell what had
befallen.
Masinissa was triumphant, for now he believed that he had gained all
Africa for himself. The Carthaginians would certainly not be able to
dispute his sway. He would join Numidia and Carthage, and become a
great king.
But, although he might well have known better, he forgot to wonder what
the Romans would have to say to his plans. He was soon to learn.
Rome sent a peremptory order to her former ally, just when he was at
the zenith of his happiness. Carthage was not to be joined to Numidia;
she was to be left alone, for the Senate itself would now see that she
was destroyed.