Between
The Triarian Division And The Other Part Of The Squadron, The Transports
Were Drawn Up, In Order That They Might Be Protected From The Enemy, And
Their Escape Accelerated And Covered In Case Of A Defeat; On Board Of The
Transports Were The Horses, And Baggage Of The Army.
According to Polybius, the seamen and troops on board the Carthaginian
fleet amounted to 150,000 men.
Their admiral waited to see the disposition
of the Roman fleet before he formed his own in order of battle; he divided
it into four squadrons, drawn up in one line; one of these was drawn up
very near the shore, the others stretched far out to sea, apparently for
the purpose of out-flanking the Romans. The light vessels were on the
right, under the command of Hanno; the squadron on the left, which was
formed of heavier vessels, was under the command of Hamilcar.
It is evident from this description of the order of battle of the
Carthaginians, that their line, being so much extended, could easily be
broken; the Romans perceiving this, bore down on the middle with their
first and second divisions. The Carthaginians did not wait the attack, but
retired immediately with the intention of drawing the Romans after them,
and thus by separating, weakening their fleet. The Romans, thinking the
victory was their own, pushed after the flying enemy, thus weakening their
third division, and at the same time exposing themselves to an attack while
they were scattered.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 196 of 1007
Words from 53844 to 54094
of 273188
