The history of the world

§. V. Arecontinuation of the Roman warre in Sicil. How HIERON, King of [unspec 30] Syracuse, for sooke the Carthaginians; and made his peace with Rome.

WHen Appius Claudius, following the aduantage of his victorie gotten at Messana, brought the warre vnto the Gates of Syracuse, and besieged that great Citie; Hieron found it high time for him to seeke peace: knowing that the Carthaginians had neither any reason to be offended with him, for helping himselfe by what meanes he could, when they were not in case to giue him assistance; and foreseeing withall, that when once hee had purchased his quiet from the Romans, it would be free for him to sit still, with∣out [unspec 40] 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of molestation, whilest Rome and Carthage were fighting for the masterie. In this good moode, the new Roman Consulls, M. Valerius, and C. Octacilius, found him, and readily embraced the offer of his friendship. Yet they made vse of their present aduantage, and sold him peace for an hundred (some say two hundred) Talents.

These Consulls had brought a great Armie into Sicil; yet did they nothing else in effect, than bring ouer Hiero to their side. If the Syracusian held them busied (which I finde not, otherwise than by circumstances, as, by the summe of monie imposed vpon him, and by their performing none other peece of seruice) all the whole time of their abode in the Iland; then was his departure from the friend∣ship [unspec 50] of Carthage, no lesse to his honour, than it was to his commoditie. For by no reason could they require, that he should suffer his owne Kingdome to runne into manifest perill of subersion, for their sakes, that should haue receiued all the profit of the victorie: seeing they did expose him to the whole danger, without strayning

themselues to giue him reliefe. But the Carthaginians had lately made good proofe of the strength of Syracuse, in the daies of Agathocles: and therefore knew, that it was able to beare out a very strong siege. And hereupon it is like that they were the more slack, in sending helpe: if (perhaps) it were not some part of their desire, that both Rome and Syracuse should weaken one the other, whereby their owne worke might be the easier against them both. Yet indeede, the case of the besieged Citie was not the same, when the Romans lay before it, as it had beene, when the Carthaginians attempted it. For there was great reason, to trie the vttermost hazard of warre against the Carthaginians, who sought no other thing than to bring it into slauerie: not so against the Romans, who thought it sufficient, if they could with∣draw [unspec 10] it from the partie of their enemies. Besides, it was not all one to be gouerned by Agathocles, or by Hiero. The former of these cared not what the citizens endured, so long as he might preserue his owne tyranie: the later, as a just and good Prince, had no greater desire than to winne the loue of his people, by seeking their com∣moditie; but including his owne felicitie within the publique, laboured to vphold both, by honest and faithfull dealing. Hereby it came to passe, that hee enjoyed a long and happie raigne; liuing deare to his owne Subjects, beloued of the Romans, and not greatly molested by the Carthaginians; whom, either the consideration, That they had left him to himselfe, ere he left their societie, made vnwilling to seeke his ruine; or their more earnest businesse with the Romans, made vnable to compasse it. [unspec 20]