13. ¶The Carthaginians because of their defeat by the Romans in the sea-fight came near putting Hannibal to death.  It is a trait of practically all people who send out armies on any mission to lay claims to advantage gained but to put the responsibility of defeat upon their leaders, and the Carthaginians were very ready to chastise those who failed in an enterprise.

He, however, was afraid and immediately after the defeat enquired of them whether if the business were still untouched they would bid him risk a sea-fight or not.  When they declared in the affirmative, as he had doubtless expected, because they prided themselves on having such a superior navy, he added, by the mouths of the same messengers:  “I, then, have done no wrong, for I went into the engagement with the same hopes as you.  The decision was within my power but not the fortune of the battle.” (Mai, p.182.  Zonaras, 8, 11.)

[Sidenote:  B.C. 258 (a.u. 496)] 14.  Dio in Book 11:  “When the storm continued and a mist arose besides, he brought about Hannibal’s defeat through the agency of some deserters.” (Bekker, Anecd. p.171, 26.  Zonaras, 8, 12.)

15.  But regarding the non-surrender of their native land and the acquirement of foreign territory as matters of equal importance, they [Footnote:  I.e., The Carthaginians.] contended with courage and force.  For whereas most men defend their own possessions to the very limit of their power but are unwilling to lay claim to the goods of others if it involves danger, these antagonists set a like value upon what they held fast and what they expected, and so were equally determined upon both points.  Now the Romans thought it better to conduct the war no longer at a distance, nor to risk a first encounter in the islands, but to have the contest in the Carthaginians’ own land.  If they failed, they would lose nothing; and if they conquered they would obtain something besides hopes.  Therefore, making their preparation follow their resolve, they took the field against Carthage. (Mai, p. 183.  Cp.  Zonaras, 8, 12.)

[Sidenote:  B.C. 256 (a.u. 498)] 16.  Their leaders were Regulus and Lucius, preferred before others for their excellence.  Regulus was, indeed, in so great poverty that he did not readily consent, on that account, to take up the command; and it was voted that his wife and children should be furnished their support from the public treasury.  (Valesius, p. 593.  Zonaras, 8, 12.)

17. ¶ Hanno had been sent to the Romans by Hamilcar, as was pretended, in behalf of peace, but in reality for the sake of delay.  And he, when some clamored for his arrest, because the Carthaginians by fraud [lacuna] Cornelius [lacuna] [Mai, p. 183.] Four pages of the MS. are lacking. (Zonaras, 8, 12.)

18.  Dio the Roman, who wrote a history about the Empire and the Republic of Rome and describes the far-famed Carthaginian war, says that when Regulus,