he was, while he sent the other to ravage Thessaly.  Metellus in derision of the forces confronting him joined battle, and by overpowering those with whom he first came into conflict he got control of the remainder with greater ease; for they made terms with him readily, inasmuch as they had erred.  Andriscus fled to Thrace and after assembling a body of fighters gave battle to Metellus as the latter was advancing on his track.  His vanguard, however, was routed first; then his contingent of allies was scattered; and Andriscus himself was betrayed by Byzes, a Thracian prince, and executed.

One Alexander, that also declared himself to be a son of Perseus and collected a band of warriors, had occupied the country round about the river which is called the Mestus:[40] but he now took to flight, and Metellus chased him as far as Dardania.

[Footnote 40:  Presumably an error for the Nestus, a well-known stream.]

[Sidenote:  B.C. 148 (a.u. 606)] IX, 29.—­The Romans put Piso the consul in the field against the Carthaginians.  Piso did not try conclusions with Carthage and Hasdrubal, but devoted himself to the coast cities.  He was repulsed from Aspis, captured and razed Neapolis, and in his expedition against the town of Hippo merely used up time without accomplishing anything.  The Carthaginians took heart both for the reasons indicated and because some allies had joined their cause.  Learning this the Romans in army and city alike had recourse to Scipio and created him consul in spite of the fact that his age would not properly let him hold the office. [Sidenote:  Cp.  FRAG. 71] His own deeds and the excellence of his father Paulus and of his grandfather Africanus implanted in the breasts of all a firm hope that through him they should vanquish their enemies and utterly root out Carthage.

[Sidenote:  B.C. 147 (a.u. 607)] While Scipio was en route to Libya, Mancinus was sailing along the coast of Carthage.  He noticed a point called Megalia which was inside the city wall and was located on a cliff having a sheer descent into the sea.  This point was a long distance away from the rest of the town and had but few guards because of the natural strength of its position.  Suddenly Mancinus applied ladders to it from the ships and ascended.  Not till he was safely up did some of the Carthaginians hastily gather, but even so they were unable to repulse him from his vantage ground.  He then sent to Piso an account of his exploit and a request for assistance.  Piso, however, being far in the interior, proved of no aid to Mancinus, but Scipio happened along at nightfall just after the receipt of the news and immediately sent him help.  The Carthaginians would have either captured or destroyed Mancinus, if they had not seen Scipio’s vessels skirting the shore:  then they grew discouraged, but would not fall back.  So Scipio sent them some captives to tell them that he was at hand, upon receipt of which information they no longer stood their