Syphax

Himilco, a Carthaginian general, desiring to land in Sicily by surprise, made no public announcement as to the destination of his voyage, but gave all the captains sealed letters, in which were instructions what port to make, with further directions that no one should read these unless separated from the flagship by a violent storm.

When Gaius Laelius went as envoy to Syphax, he took with him as spies certain tribunes and centurions whom he represented to be slaves and attendants.

One of these, Lucius Statorius, who had been rather frequently in the same camp and whom certain of the enemy seemed to recognize, Laelius caned as a slave in order to conceal the man's rank.

Tarquin the Proud, having decided that the leading citizens of Gabai should be put to death and not wishing to confide this purpose to anyone, gave no response to the messenger sent to him by his son, but merely cut off the tallest poppy heads with his cane as he happened to walk about in the garden.

2.

On finding out the enemy's plans.

Scipio Africanus, seizing the opportunity of sending an embassy to Syphax, commanded specially chosen tribunes and centurions to go with Laelius, disguised as slaves and entrusted with the task of spying out the strength of the king.

These men, in order to examine more freely the situation of the camp, purposely let loose a horse and chased it around the greatest part of the fortifications, pretending it was running away.

This is because both sets of Celtic peoples practiced personal clientship instead of the style of diplomacy typical of republics like Rome or Carthage.

It was during this time that Scipio Africanus ventured to Numidia to meet with King Syphax.

We get an interesting story where Scipio Africanus, Hasdrubal Gisco, and Massinissa met up at the same dinner table in Numidia, despite being sworn enemies just months before.

While Scipio Africanus was unable to change Syphax's mind, Massinissa was open to turning towards the Romans.

However, I'll have to leave that story here for now.

Thank you so much for listening to the History of the Cults podcast.

But he, it's vital, this, because I don't think he'd have gone without this assurance- Yeah ... to tell the truth.

So you've got two people, Syphax a- and Masinissa.

Now, Masinissa is fighting for the Carthaginians.

Mm-hmm.

Syphax is [laughs] fighting for the Romans, and they do a switch.

[laughs] Uh, so Syphax comes back and says, "Actually, it's my..." He, he's in charge in what is now Algeria, basically.

He comes back and says, "Well, actually, you know what? I think the Carthaginians are on the front foot.

I'll, I'll stay with them." Um, Masinissa, who, who actually was betrothed to his daughter at one stage, um, basically is thinking, "Well, what are my options here? Because he, he's a branch of the family that I don't get on with very much, um, and I'm not gonna control my territory here in the eastern part if Syphax is in charge." So Scipio essentially seduces his allegiance away- Mm ...