[Sidenote:  B.C. 205 (a.u. 549)] The succeeding year Publius Scipio and [Sidenote:  FRAG. 56^48] LICINIUS CRASSUS BECAME CONSULS.  And THE LATTER STAYED IN ITALY, but Scipio had received orders to leave there for Sicily and Libya to the end that in case he should not capture Carthage he might at least eventually draw Hannibal from Italy.  He did not succeed in securing an army of any real value nor in getting an expenditure for triremes, because the honors accorded to his prowess had made him an object of jealousy.  The people would scarcely supply him with the necessities.  While he set out with the fleet of the allies and a few volunteers drawn from the populace, Mago left the island and after sailing along the Italian coast disembarked in Liguria.  Crassus was in Bruttium lying in wait for Hannibal.  Philip, however, had become reconciled with the Romans; for on ascertaining that Publius Sempronius had reached Apollonia with a large force he was glad to make peace.

[Sidenote:  (FRAG. 56^50?)] Scipio the consul landed in Sicily and made ready to sail to Libya, but he could not do so because he did not have a complete force at his disposal and what he had was undisciplined.  Therefore he resided there for the entire winter, drilling his followers and enrolling others in addition.  As he was on the point of making the passage, a message came to him from Rhegium that some of the citizens of Locri would betray the city.  Having denounced the commander of the garrison and obtained no satisfaction from Hannibal they were now ready to go over to the Romans.  Accordingly he sent a detachment there and with the aid of the traitors seized a good part of the city during the night.  The Carthaginians were huddled together in the citadel and sent for Hannibal, whereupon Scipio also set sail with speed and by a sudden sally repulsed Hannibal when the latter was close to the city.  Next he captured the acropolis and, after entrusting the entire city to the care of the military tribunes, sailed back again.  He was unable, however, to consummate his voyage to Libya.  The Carthaginians so dreaded his advance that they despatched money to Philip to induce him to make a campaign against Italy, and sent grain and soldiers to Hannibal and to Mago ships and money that he might prevent Scipio from crossing.  The Romans, led by certain portents to expect a brilliant victory, entrusted to Scipio the army of Libya and gave him permission to enroll as large an additional force as he should please. [Sidenote:  B.C. 204 (a.u. 550)] Of the consuls they set Marcus Cethegus over against Mago and Publius Sempronius against Hannibal.