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he was leading, and because his house was in mourning on account of the destruction of his father and uncle, he came again into the public eye and addressed the people, and by what he said he shamed the members of the senate, his command was not taken from him, but Marcus Junius, an elderly man, was sent to him. For the Romans, after these things their affairs did not advance for the better without toil. For Marcellus, after he was accused and acquitted, moved against Hannibal, and for the most part acted with caution, 2.270 fearing to risk a battle against desperate men; but if ever he was forced to engage, he proved superior by reason of his prudence mixed with daring. Hannibal, therefore, on account of these things and because the cities allied with him had some abandoned him, and others were thinking of doing so, and for certain other reasons, attempted to ravage the districts which he was not able to hold. And he devastated many, and more revolted on this account. Near the city of Salpia something like this happened. Two men held their affairs, and they were at odds with each other. And Alinius favored the Carthaginian side, while Plautius favored the Roman, who also spoke with Alinius about betraying the city to the Romans. When the former immediately reported this to Hannibal, Plautius was brought to trial. While Hannibal was deliberating with his councillors on how to punish him, he dared, in Hannibal's very presence, to speak again about the betrayal to Alinius who was somewhere nearby. When the other cried out, "See, see, even now he is speaking to me about this very thing," Hannibal did not believe it because of its absurdity, but even released him as one who was being falsely accused. When he was released, they both came to an agreement, and bringing in soldiers from Marcellus, they cut down the Carthaginian garrison and handed the city over to the Romans. And so in Italy were the affairs for the Carthaginians; and not even Sicily was well-disposed towards them, but they were going over to the consul Laevinus. For Hanno was leading the Carthaginians in Sicily, and Muttines was campaigning with him. He had formerly been with Hannibal, and having been envied because he showed great deeds of valor, he was sent to Sicily. 2.271 As, therefore, he also commanded the cavalry brilliantly there, he incurred envy also from Hanno, and for this reason he was removed from the command of the cavalry. Being greatly grieved, at any rate, on account of these things, he inclined toward the Romans. And first he collaborated with them on the betrayal of Acragas, then he also helped accomplish the other things, so that all Sicily again came under their control without great effort. Fabius and Flaccus captured many other cities, including Tarentum, while Hannibal was holding it. For having ordered some men to overrun Bruttium, so that Hannibal might depart from Tarentum to bring aid to it, when this happened, Flaccus kept watch on him, and Fabius in the meantime, attacking Tarentum by night with both his ships and his infantry, captured the city by assault and by treachery. Hannibal, therefore, vexed by the deceit, was eager to plot against Fabius in turn. And he sent him a letter from Metapontum, as if from the inhabitants, regarding the betrayal of the city, hoping to ambush him as he approached without caution. But he suspected what was being done, and by comparing the script with the letters he had once written to the Tarentines, he detected the plot from their similarity. Scipio for the rest of the time, even if he was eager to avenge his father and uncle and yearned for the glory of war, yet did not hurry, on account of the multitude of the enemy. But when he learned that they were wintering somewhere far away, he let them be, and moved on Carthage in that region; however, no one at all 2.272 knew of his advance until he was at Carthage itself; and he took the city with great effort. After Carthage was captured, a very great sedition almost arose among the soldiers. For when Scipio promised to give a crown to the first man to mount the wall, two men, one a Roman and the other from the allies, disputed over it. And as they disputed, the rest of the multitude was also thrown into an uproar, and they were greatly disturbed, so as to even do something terrible, if Scipio had not both