Book 39
2
After various operations during the autumn of B. C. 147, the upshot of which was to put the whole of the open country in Roman hands, in the beginning of spring B. C. 146, Scipio delivered his final attack on Carthage, taking first the quarter of the merchants’ harbour, then the war harbour, and then the market-place. There only remained the streets leading to the Byrsa and the Byrsa itself. Appian, Pun. 123-126. Livy, Ep. 51.
3
Having got within the walls, while the Carthaginians The fall of Carthage, B. C. 146 (spring). Scipio within the walls of Carthage. still held out on the citadel, Scipio found that the arm of the sea which intervened was not at all deep; and upon Polybius advising him to set it with iron spikes or drive sharp wooden stakes into it, to prevent the enemy crossing it and attacking the mole,τά χώματα, that is, apparently, the mole of huge stones constructed by the Romans to block up the mouth of the harbour. he said that, having taken the walls and got inside the city, it would be ridiculous to take measures to avoid fighting the enemy. . . .
4
The pompous Hasdrubal threw himself on his knees before the Roman commander, quite forgetful of his proud language. . . .
